a tiny imperfection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tiny imperfection" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a small flaw or defect in an object, work of art, or any other context where imperfections are relevant. Example: "Despite its beauty, the painting had a tiny imperfection that only a keen eye could detect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's the little flicker, a tiny imperfection in the black leader before the movie even starts.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Even when my skin is decent and my makeup is done, I can still spy every tiny imperfection in a photo.

Huffington Post

Any tiny imperfection, or dissatisfaction with absorbing so much in such a short time, was absolved by the magnificence and boldness of the gesture.

The Guardian - Music

Any tiny imperfection would result in failure.

The New York Times

Each tiny imperfection of choice destroys his sense of himself.

The Guardian - Opinion

At one time or another, each of us would become fixated on one tiny imperfection in our wall, while those of us standing back and looking at the wall like an owner would pronounced it beautiful.

The New York Times

A new analysis suggests that the ridges develop when the steady flow of mineral-rich water is disturbed as it runs over tiny imperfections in a stalactite's surface.

Science Magazine

Imagine an elevator with a glass door that allows you to see out: on three sides there is darkness, but on one side there is a rocky cliff with crags and tiny imperfections.

WikiHow

Behind the counter of the 41st Street branch, which opened in 2000, an oven-size machine buzzes loudly as employees shave tiny imperfections from the pages of texts like the early novels of Haruki Murakami and comics bearing titles like "Yu-Gi-Oh!" Since the machine can't handle hardcover books, those must be tidied up manually.

The New York Times

The Macrovision system inserts tiny imperfections into tapes and discs in such a way that the original runs well on any player but unauthorized copies come out as gobbledygook.

Forbes

The leftover glow from the Big Bang, the CMB, isn't uniform, but has tiny imperfections and temperature fluctuations on the scale of a few hundred microkelvin.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as having "a tiny imperfection", ensure the context highlights that this imperfection does not significantly detract from the overall quality or value.

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny imperfection" to describe a flaw that actually has a major impact. If the flaw significantly affects functionality or aesthetics, a stronger term is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny imperfection" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a minor flaw or defect in something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science & Research

25%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tiny imperfection" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a minor flaw, with Ludwig AI confirming its usability. While relatively rare, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian and is appropriate for neutral contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the imperfection genuinely is insignificant and does not detract substantially from the overall value or quality. Related phrases include "a minor blemish" and "a slight defect". The phrase serves to acknowledge a flaw while reassuring its limited impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minute imperfection

Replaces "tiny" with "minute", indicating an extremely small or insignificant imperfection.

a minor blemish

Replaces "imperfection" with a more visually focused term, "blemish", implying a surface-level flaw.

a slight defect

Uses the more technical term "defect" to indicate a flaw, maintaining the small scale with "slight".

a small flaw

A direct synonym replacement, using "flaw" instead of "imperfection".

a negligible fault

Substitutes "imperfection" with "fault", emphasizing the insignificance of the flaw with "negligible".

a trivial error

Replaces "imperfection" with "error", suggesting a mistake or deviation from correctness, described as "trivial".

a virtually unnoticeable flaw

Focuses on the unnoticeable nature of the flaw, highlighting its subtlety.

an almost imperceptible defect

Uses "imperceptible" to emphasize that the defect is barely noticeable.

a barely visible mark

Shifts the focus to a visual mark that is hard to see, instead of a general imperfection.

a hairline fracture

Specifically describes a very fine crack, implying a small structural imperfection.

FAQs

How can I use "a tiny imperfection" in a sentence?

You can use "a tiny imperfection" to describe a small flaw that is barely noticeable, as in "Despite its age, the antique vase only had "a tiny imperfection" on its base".

What can I say instead of "a tiny imperfection"?

You can use alternatives like "a minor blemish", "a slight defect", or "a small flaw" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a tiny imperfection" in formal writing?

Yes, "a tiny imperfection" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing something that is otherwise of high quality but has a minor flaw. However, more technical terms might be preferred in scientific contexts.

What is the difference between "a tiny imperfection" and "a major defect"?

"A tiny imperfection" refers to a small, often unnoticeable flaw, while "a major defect" indicates a significant problem that can severely affect the functionality or appearance of something.