a small suggestion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a small suggestion' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when making an offer that is not too demanding or intrusive. For example: "I hope you don't mind me making a small suggestion - why don't we try a different approach to this problem?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A rep might offer a small suggestion: "Jerry's too harsh in this scene".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Now, while we're on about business types being on the panel, I have a small suggestion to make.

Independent

There is a small suggestion of publication bias due to the two small studies reporting large effects, but this was tempered a little by a couple of larger studies with smaller effect sizes.

Nature

A small suggestion of her dancerly gifts came with a brief section, set to a song in Arabic, of languorous curling movements that might have been based on the shapes made by the tangle of string beside her.

The New York Times - Arts

A small suggestion: improve call quality in New York City.

TechCrunch

Just a small suggestion to the designers, imagine your core customer is not 25, but just double that and then some.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

In the book, Goyal makes a few small suggestions that he believes would lead to big changes in the classroom.

The Washington Post

I might make a few small suggestions for consideration: Is solitary mastocytoma really "rare"?

F1000Research

So, sister, my small suggestion is to take a positive note, get in the pro-black situation, and take care of what you have right now, and don't worry about stuff like that.

Huffington Post

Here's a small practical suggestion: if the Labour party could run a scheme together with constituency parties to select would-be interns from non-elite backgrounds, I hope that other London-based members, like me, would be willing to provide accommodation and maybe board for three months over the summer, to make it possible for a wider range of people to gain experience of how Westminster works.

The Guardian

Just wanted to make this small suggestion.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, ensure the suggestion is relevant and contributes constructively to the discussion. Avoid using it for trivial matters.

Common error

While "a small suggestion" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or professional settings. Over-reliance can make your communication sound hesitant or lacking in confidence. Opt for more direct language when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small suggestion" primarily functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig examples show it used to introduce a piece of advice or idea, often in a polite or non-assertive manner. The adjective "small" modifies "suggestion", indicating its minor or less significant nature, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small suggestion" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase to introduce an idea or recommendation politely. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It is especially common in news and media, science and formal business contexts, where a gentle approach is valued. When using this phrase, aim for constructive contributions and avoid overuse in highly formal environments. Several alternatives, such as "a minor recommendation" or "a tiny piece of advice", can be used to add variety or adjust the level of formality. Remember, the purpose is to offer guidance without being imposing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor recommendation

Replaces "suggestion" with "recommendation" and "small" with "minor", emphasizing the insignificance of the advice.

a tiny piece of advice

Substitutes "suggestion" with "advice" and uses "tiny" to highlight how diminutive the recommendation is.

a modest proposal

Employs "proposal" instead of "suggestion" and "modest" to imply humility and lack of imposition.

a slight hint

Replaces "suggestion" with "hint", indicating a less direct form of guidance; "slight" denotes its subtlety.

a gentle nudge

Replaces "suggestion" with a more metaphorical term indicating gentle guidance.

a brief idea

Replaces suggestion with idea and small with brief.

a small piece of feedback

Uses 'feedback' instead of suggestion to denote a comment or input and piece to add emphasis.

a little tip

Uses 'tip' instead of 'suggestion' to provide a helpful hint and emphasizes its diminutive nature.

a light recommendation

Replace suggestion with recommendation and uses "light" to further emphasize the non-imposing nature of the suggestion.

a friendly pointer

Indicates the recommendation is made in a friendly and helpful manner.

FAQs

How can I use "a small suggestion" in a sentence?

You can use "a small suggestion" to introduce a minor idea or piece of advice, such as, "I have "a small suggestion": perhaps we could start the meeting five minutes earlier?"

What are some alternatives to "a small suggestion"?

Alternatives include "a minor recommendation", "a tiny piece of advice", or "a modest proposal", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "a small suggestion" in a formal email?

Yes, it can be appropriate, especially when offering a gentle or non-assertive idea. However, ensure it's relevant and not overused. Consider using more direct language if the situation calls for it.

What's the difference between "a small suggestion" and "a strong recommendation"?

"A small suggestion" implies a minor idea that's easy to accept or reject, while "a strong recommendation" implies a more important piece of advice that the speaker believes should be followed.