a small variation of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small variation of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a minor change or difference in something, such as a design, concept, or process. Example: "The new model is just a small variation of the previous version, with a few updated features."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

A small variation of gene expression around a specific threshold leads to an abrupt switch from one state to the other.

AMB Express

A small variation of TOP amount (from 3 to 5 mmol) did not make apparent difference in the products, showing the robustness of our synthetic approach.

Nanoscale Research Letters

In fact, in Fig. 6, a small variation of the leg from its optimal position causes the maximum adhesion requirement to increase dramatically.

Robotics and Biomimetics

A small variation of aphII expression around a specific threshold leads to an abrupt switch from one state to the other.

AMB Express

In the regular oscillations regime, a small variation of the MET current does not lead to a qualitative change in the oscillation pattern.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

With the presence of a substrate, the bond angles exhibit a small variation of a few degrees, as the lattice symmetry is slight broken in the Sn layer.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

In general, there is at least a small variation on quality characteristics of the produced items.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Bland-Altman analysis revealed a smaller variation of mPAP than sPAP.

Plosone

Whatever actual variation the Bcd morphogen exhibits, the nonlinear model response translates it to a smaller variation of the target gene patterns.

BMC Systems Biology

Modification of only this parameter, from 10 to 15 or inversely, induces a variation of 59% or 61% in the number of the tagged CDSs, whereas a constant threshold and a variable length result in a smaller variation of 13% or 18%.

BMC Genomics

This purely geometrical fact evidently prescribes a smaller variation of the intersection point when the basin boundary is changing due to the variance of Bcd concentration, as opposed to the case if the curves would jointly rise or jointly fall along the A-P axis (we illustrated this mechanism of canalization in Additional file 18: Figure S13).

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing experimental results, use "a small variation of" to precisely indicate the degree of change observed.

Common error

Avoid using "a small variation of" when a more substantial change occurred. Ensure the adjective accurately reflects the magnitude of the difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small variation of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun. It indicates that something is slightly different from something else. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is both grammatically correct and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small variation of" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe minor differences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal contexts, especially in science and technology. When using this phrase, ensure that the "variation" is genuinely small to maintain accuracy and avoid misleading your audience. Consider related phrases like "a minor modification of" or "a slight alteration to" for nuanced expression. By being precise and thoughtful in your word choice, you can effectively communicate the subtleties of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor modification of

Emphasizes the act of changing something slightly.

a slight alteration to

Focuses on the act of making something different.

a subtle change in

Highlights that the change is not immediately obvious.

a marginal difference in

Indicates that the variation is at the edge or border of significance.

a minimal adjustment to

Suggests a very small amount of change or correction.

a limited deviation from

Implies that the change is restricted or controlled.

a narrow divergence from

Focuses on the act of splitting or moving away from something slightly.

a fractional shift in

Emphasizes that the change is tiny and part of a whole.

a nuance in

Highlights a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.

a hairline distinction in

Emphasizes the fineness and difficulty in perceiving the difference.

FAQs

How can I use "a small variation of" in a sentence?

You can use "a small variation of" to describe a slight change or difference between two things. For example, "The second experiment was "a small variation of" the first one, with only the temperature being different".

What are some alternatives to "a small variation of"?

Some alternatives to "a small variation of" include "a minor modification of", "a slight alteration to", or "a subtle change in", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always necessary to quantify the "small variation"?

While not always required, quantifying the "small variation" provides greater clarity and precision, especially in scientific or technical contexts. Saying "a variation of 5%" is often more informative.

In what contexts is "a small variation of" most appropriate?

"A small variation of" is commonly used in scientific research, engineering, and design to describe minor modifications to a process, model, or product. It suggests that the underlying principle or structure remains largely unchanged.