a small scale difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small scale difference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor variation or distinction in size, magnitude, or extent between two or more items or concepts. Example: "The study revealed a small scale difference in the performance of the two algorithms, suggesting that one may be slightly more efficient than the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Computers and Electronics in Agriculture

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The scene of the IR image is assumed to be completely included in the optical image and the alignment between the common scene in the two images may involve translation and rotation by a small angle, though a small scale difference may also be present.

Computers and Electronics in Agriculture

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Our goals were to estimate SOC within playa wetlands and investigate small scale differences within wetland catchments across a broad agriculturally modified landscape.

Soil and Tillage Research

These differences in extent were due to small scale differences in morphology and extreme water repellency.

CATENA

There are differences in colonization ability among plant species [ 35] which may lead to small scale differences in species composition and therefore secondary forest structure.

BMC Ecology

We have shown that large scale differences such as leading and lagging strand synthesis and chromosomal position can influence mutation rate, however, small scale differences in the local nucleotide environment may also have an effect.

BMC Genomics

To take into account very small scale differences in traffic exposure, which are not reflected in the EURAD model output, we also adjusted PMTRA for road proximity and vice versa.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Even if you're just reviving a second-hand piece of furniture with some Farrow & Ball paint or sticking bits of broken glass around a mirror, upcycling on a small scale still makes a difference, and the results might just surprise you.

Independent

Educating girls and empowering women to enter the labor market or run businesses -- even on a small scale -- makes a huge difference in a community's economy.

Huffington Post

From that perspective, the differences between mountains and marshes may be only what thesis 5 calls "differences on a small scale," while the two count as "the same" on a large scale.

SEP

On a smaller scale, moderate differences between species or individuals in their carotenoid-based colours may lead to similar levels of detectability if birds differ adaptively in their choice of microhabitats.

BMC Ecology

In addition to YouTube, the popularity of videos published on other platforms has been studied (e.g., Daum [28], Dutch TV [44], DailyMotion [46],[47], Yahoo! video [47], Veoh [47], Metacafe [47], Vimeo [34]), but on a smaller scale, and no significant differences have been signaled in terms of popularity distributions.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a small scale difference", ensure the context clearly establishes what two or more entities are being compared. Specify the units or parameters in which the difference is measured, if relevant, to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a small scale difference" to describe variations that have substantial practical implications. If the difference, however small, leads to significant outcomes, consider emphasizing the impact rather than downplaying the scale.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small scale difference" functions as a noun phrase, where "small scale" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "difference". It typically introduces a comparison, as demonstrated by Ludwig, highlighting a subtle distinction between two or more entities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small scale difference" functions as a noun phrase denoting a minor variation between entities, with its core purpose being to acknowledge a distinction while de-emphasizing its importance. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and can be used to describe a minor variation. Predominantly used in formal and scientific registers, it appears most frequently in scientific publications and news articles. Ludwig's analysis confirms the phrase's validity and provides useful examples for its effective application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight difference

Replaces "small scale" with "slight", emphasizing the subtlety of the difference.

minor variation

Uses "variation" instead of "difference", highlighting the aspect of change or deviation.

subtle distinction

Emphasizes the difficulty in perceiving the difference, using "subtle" and "distinction".

marginal difference

Indicates the difference is at the edge of significance.

small degree of variation

Expands the phrase to include "degree of variation", making it more descriptive.

tiny discrepancy

Uses "tiny" to stress the insignificance of the difference; "discrepancy" implies inconsistency.

minute difference

Highlights the extremely small size of the difference.

negligible variation

Implies the variation is so small it's practically unimportant.

inconsequential difference

Indicates the difference has no significant impact or consequence.

modest variation

Describes the variation as being within reasonable limits, not extreme.

FAQs

How can I use "a small scale difference" in a sentence?

You can use "a small scale difference" to describe minor variations between two things. For example: "The study revealed "a small scale difference" in the performance of the two algorithms."

What's a good alternative to "a small scale difference"?

Alternatives include "slight difference", "minor variation", or "subtle distinction", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a small scale difference" when the impact is large?

While grammatically correct, it may be misleading. If the impact is significant, emphasize the impact. It may be better to say "despite the "a small scale difference", the impact was significant".

What does "scale" refer to in the phrase "a small scale difference"?

"Scale" refers to the magnitude or extent of the difference. It implies that the variation is minor in terms of size, amount, or degree.