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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
a small variance
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "a small variance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing minor differences or deviations in data, measurements, or outcomes. Example: "The experiment showed a small variance in the results, indicating that the method was consistent."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
55 human-written examples
Village planners would have to grant the family a small variance to move ahead with building two homes on the property, since it has less than the 30,000 square feet needed to do so under the village's zoning laws.
News & Media
Every single Prince of Wales was by a small variance of degree loathed by their fathers – even the forgotten one, Prince Frederick – who should have come between George II and George III – who died in 1751.
News & Media
A small variance indicates a high compactness (cf. Fig. 1).
When (alpha) is small, the data distribution is highly skewed, and most clusters have a small variance.
Science
This results in a large average and a small variance of the stability factor for SF-OnPeak.
We find empirical support for forward citations and the patent's family size; however, both indicators explain only a small variance in patent value.
Science
The presented method to process short data sequences leads to unbiased estimates with a small variance in comparison to the more traditional approaches.
This approach can provide good discrimination between known patterns for nonstationary signal classification, even when signals are corrupted with additive Gaussian noise with a small variance.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
3 human-written examples
A higher mean value and/or a smaller variance indicates better error performance.
Further, it is revealed that sampling from a lower dimensional distribution will result in a smaller variance.
User heading of taking an escalator or entering an elevator has a smaller variance than that of walking upstairs/downstairs.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When interpreting data, use "a small variance" to highlight consistency and reliability within a dataset. For instance, "The controlled experiment demonstrated a small variance in the results, suggesting high precision."
Common error
Avoid dismissing data with "a small variance" as automatically insignificant. Although the variability is low, the data might still reveal important trends or consistent patterns that warrant further investigation.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "a small variance" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes the degree of dispersion around a mean, typically used in statistical or quantitative contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and widely used.
Frequent in
Science
86%
News & Media
10%
Formal & Business
4%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "a small variance" is a phrase used to describe minimal dispersion within a dataset, implying consistency and reliability. As Ludwig AI clarifies, this is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term, especially within scientific and technical contexts. Its usage indicates data points are closely clustered around the mean, often signifying precision in measurements or stability in observed phenomena. While contexts beyond science and news are less common, the phrase is a valuable tool for communicating statistical insights. Therefore, recognizing and using the phrase effectively is crucial for conveying accurate and nuanced interpretations of data.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
a slight variation
Emphasizes a minor change or difference, focusing on the aspect of change.
a minor deviation
Highlights a departure from a standard or expected value, stressing the irregularity.
a small deviation
Highlights a departure from an accepted standard or norm that is not large.
a negligible difference
Indicates that the difference is so small it's practically unimportant, stressing insignificance.
a limited discrepancy
Focuses on a lack of agreement or consistency that is confined in scope, emphasizing the inconsistency.
a reduced variability
Highlights that the amount of fluctuation or dispersion is lessened, emphasizing the reduction in fluctuation.
a minimal fluctuation
Draws attention to extremely small and erratic movements, underscoring the erratic movement aspect.
a narrow divergence
Points out a slight split or difference in direction, emphasizing the splitting aspect.
a marginal difference
Indicates a difference that is barely significant or noticeable, emphasizing the barely noticeable aspect.
a modest alteration
Focuses on a change that is moderate in size or degree, emphasizing the change aspect.
FAQs
How to use "a small variance" in a sentence?
You can use "a small variance" to describe data sets or situations where the values are closely clustered together. For example, "The study showed "a small variance" in test scores among participants."
What's the difference between "a small variance" and "a large variance"?
"A small variance" indicates that data points are clustered closely around the mean, suggesting consistency. In contrast, "a large variance" means data points are more spread out, indicating greater variability or inconsistency.
What can I say instead of "a small variance"?
You can use alternatives like "a slight variation", "a minor deviation", or "negligible difference" depending on the context.
In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "a small variance"?
The term "a small variance" is appropriate in statistical analysis, scientific experiments, financial analysis, and quality control processes to describe the degree of dispersion in a set of data points.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested