a small wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor mistake or error that may not have significant consequences. Example: "I made a small wrong in my calculations, but it didn't affect the final result."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Two wrongs can't make a right, but sometimes a small wrong can limit a big one's damage.

The New Yorker

It's about loss and about a moment in time when someone makes a small, wrong decision and something terrible comes from it, and they spend their whole life trying to forgive themselves.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It doesn't take long for even a seemingly small wrong turn to lead to catastrophe, in political or human terms.

The New Yorker

But, Mr. Lichtman said, he also wore it as a kind of anonymous Everyman; to show that each of us is capable of valiant deeds, of helping a neighbor or righting some small wrong.

The New York Times - Arts

And while I think it's a small moral wrong that people in safe states don't get to have their presidential votes count in any meaningful way, it's not the sort of thing that's going to provoke widespread civil disobedience.

The Economist

Botswana remains relatively crime-free and Mma Ramotswe, accompanied by her owl-like assistant, Mma Makutsi, earns her living righting the small wrongs.

The Guardian - Books

In a small but glaringly wrong note, the flap-copy writer for "Beginner's Greek" compares Collins in passing to Tom Wolfe.

The New York Times - Books

"A small change went wrong and this meant that about 80% of our network was not able to link to the benefits system".

The Guardian - Tech

Charles Bott QC said Weatherup accepted that others seek to deny it was widespread but the "suggestion that phone hacking was the work of a small clique is wrong and misleading".

The Guardian

A spokesman for the ABS told Guardian Australia it was "inevitable" that a small number of wrong reminders would be sent out in an operation of this size, but the most common reasons were a lag between a paper form being sent and received, and people not clicking on "submit" at the end of their online form.

The Guardian

WHEN it comes to buying technology, it's easy for a small business to go wrong.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small wrong", ensure the context clearly indicates the insignificance of the error or misdeed to avoid misleading the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a small wrong" to downplay a mistake that has significant consequences. Always accurately reflect the situation's gravity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small wrong" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "small" modifies the noun "wrong", indicating a minor error or fault. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small wrong" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a minor mistake or error. According to Ludwig AI, it's considered correct and usable in written English. While it's suitable for various contexts, including news and media, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives such as "minor error" or "slight mistake". The key is to ensure the context accurately reflects the insignificance of the wrong to avoid misleading the reader. As highlighted in the writing guidance, it's crucial to avoid exaggerating the impact of the "wrong" when using this phrase. Top sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian use it, confirming its acceptability in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor mistake

Replaces "wrong" with "mistake", suggesting a lack of intent or awareness.

a slight error

Substitutes "small" with "slight" and "wrong" with "error", focusing on the minimal deviation from correctness.

a trivial fault

Emphasizes the insignificance of the wrongdoing by using "trivial" and "fault".

a negligible error

Highlights that the error is so small it can be ignored.

a petty offense

Replaces "wrong" with "offense", suggesting a violation of rules or norms, but on a small scale.

a minor transgression

Indicates a slight deviation from what is considered morally right or acceptable.

a forgivable mistake

Highlights the excusable nature of the error, often due to its small impact.

a venial sin

A theological term for a minor sin that does not break one's relationship with God.

a peccadillo

A minor sin or offense; a trifling fault.

a slip-up

An informal term for a small mistake or error.

FAQs

What does "a small wrong" mean?

The phrase "a small wrong" refers to a minor error, mistake, or misdeed that does not have serious consequences.

What can I say instead of "a small wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "a minor mistake", "a slight error", or "a trivial fault depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "a small wrong" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a small wrong" might sound less formal. Alternatives like "a minor error" or "a slight mistake" might be more suitable for formal contexts.

Is "a small mistake" the same as "a small wrong"?

Yes, "a small mistake" is very similar in meaning to "a small wrong". Both refer to minor errors or faults.