a subtle increment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a subtle increment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or gradual increase in something, often in contexts like data analysis, performance metrics, or changes in behavior. Example: "The study revealed a subtle increment in the participants' performance over the course of the training program."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The level of molecular resolution does not seem to be an influencing factor in the apportioning of genetic variance in the Chad Basin (Table 3), although mtSNPs do seem to contribute a subtle increment to the genetic variation.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Again, a subtle lesson.

The New York Times - Books

The subtle increment in time related to the increment in sequences arises from population of the frequency table, which was done sequentially for every aligned sequence.

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

In the world of humanitarian aid, where progress is usually measured in subtle increments of misery, the new product offers a rare satisfaction: swift, visible, fantastic efficacy.

The New York Times - Magazine

As he begins to backtrack, she jolts upright, stares back in shock, then in mock shock, shifting in subtle increments until she smiles, lets her face go blank again, and leans back into his arms with relaxed panic, a twenty-sided facial expression that should earn Lauren Graham a special Emmy.

The New Yorker

"They typically grow from the seeds of worthy ideas and their laudable promise is betrayed in subtle increments".

Huffington Post

And this day was no different; as the game played itself out in subtle increments on the field below us, we ate hot dogs and chatted with the people near us, high-fiving them at every fine play and dishing out good-natured grief whenever we might disagree.

Los Angeles Times

A subtle signal?

The New York Times - Sports

A subtle or obvious message?

The New Yorker

It is a subtle war.

Independent

This is a subtle concept.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing quantitative data or research findings, use "a subtle increment" to highlight minor but potentially meaningful increases or improvements. For example, "The new strategy resulted in a subtle increment in customer satisfaction scores."

Common error

Avoid using "a subtle increment" when describing large or significant changes. Using it in such cases can undermine the impact of your statement. For example, avoid saying "The company's profits saw a subtle increment this year" when they actually doubled.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a subtle increment" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "subtle" modifies the noun "increment". Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The phrase typically describes a minor increase or change.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Wiki

21%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a subtle increment" describes a small, often barely noticeable, increase or change. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. While not overly common, its usage spans across various domains, including science and news, but it may be less frequent in everyday conversation. When using this phrase, ensure that the increment genuinely reflects a minor change to avoid misrepresenting the magnitude of the difference. Consider using alternatives like ""a slight increase"" or ""a minor adjustment"" depending on the specific context to enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight increase

Replaces 'subtle' with 'slight', indicating a small change in magnitude.

a marginal gain

Uses 'marginal' to emphasize a small and barely noticeable improvement.

a minor adjustment

Focuses on the act of making a small change rather than the size of the increase.

a delicate boost

Emphasizes the careful and sensitive nature of the increment.

a gradual rise

Highlights the slow and progressive nature of the increase.

a modest growth

Indicates a restrained and limited expansion.

a gentle progression

Suggests a smooth and unforced increase.

a fractional addition

Emphasizes the small, divisible part that is added.

a minute advance

Uses 'minute' to denote a very small degree of progress.

a nominal increase

Highlights that the increase might be so small as to be almost insignificant.

FAQs

How can I use "a subtle increment" in a sentence?

You can use "a subtle increment" to describe a small or gradual increase in something. For example: "The new marketing strategy resulted in "a subtle increment" in website traffic."

What are some alternatives to "a subtle increment"?

Some alternatives include "a slight increase", "a minor adjustment", or "a marginal gain", depending on the context.

Is "a subtle increment" formal or informal?

"A subtle increment" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in formal writing such as scientific papers or business reports.

When should I use "a subtle increment" instead of "a significant increase"?

Use "a subtle increment" when the increase is small and not immediately noticeable. If the increase is large and impactful, use "a significant increase".