albeit small

USAGE SUMMARY

"albeit small" is a correct and common phrase used in written English.
It is used to refer to something that, while only small in size or importance, is still noteworthy or significant. For example, "Even though it was a small team, they achieved great success, albeit small in comparison to the accomplishments of other teams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Albeit small, Charleston Beverage met these requirements".

The New York Times

But when accomplished, these constructs would be complete (albeit small) worlds, not merely large habitats.

Acta Astronautica

However, the net result of these two indirect effects is still positive albeit small.

Cities

Re had a consistent positive, albeit small, effect on the C5+ selectivity.

Catalysis Today

The fish farm is another, albeit small, outlet for the company's grains.

The New York Times

Perhaps inevitably, the film has already attracted criticism, albeit small scale.

The Guardian

The garden needs a paid admission to get in but is very delightful, albeit small.

The New York Times - Travel

Certainly, there is a chance, albeit small, that the reforms will even now be derailed.

The Economist

You can forget the open road, as the roulettes are permanently grounded within campsites - albeit small, rural ones.

The Guardian - Travel

The FTSE 100 is the only major European index making gains this afternoon, albeit small ones (up 8 points).

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, this friend is Christine Ferber, who to my mind is the best of commercial (albeit small-scale) jam-makers.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "albeit small" to acknowledge a limitation or a small degree of something while still highlighting its presence or effect. This adds nuance and precision to your writing, avoiding overly strong or absolute statements.

Common error

Avoid using "albeit small" when the smallness completely negates the significance. If something is so insignificant that it's practically non-existent, using "albeit small" can be misleading and dilute your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "albeit small" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically an adjunct. According to Ludwig AI, it modifies an adjective or adverb, conceding that the quality being described is present to a limited degree. Examples from Ludwig illustrate how it softens statements, adding nuance to descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

41%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "albeit small" is a versatile adverbial modifier that adds a layer of nuance to writing by acknowledging limitations while still emphasizing the existence of a quality or effect. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, lending itself well to a variety of contexts, from formal scientific reports to neutral news articles and even informal settings. While predominantly found in News & Media and Science, it's crucial to avoid overstating the importance of something truly insignificant, maintaining the clarity and precision of your message. The phrase's high frequency and authoritative sources underscore its value in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

though limited

Emphasizes the restriction or constraint on the characteristic.

even if modest

Highlights the humility or unassuming nature of the characteristic.

while reduced

Focuses on the decrease or lessening of the characteristic.

if only slight

Stresses the subtlety or barely perceptible quality of the characteristic.

however diminutive

Emphasizes the small size and lack of significance of what is being described.

notwithstanding its size

Highlights that despite the small size, the quality is still present.

in a limited capacity

Indicates the constraint on the extent or scope of the characteristic.

to a lesser extent

Focuses on the comparative degree of the characteristic's existence.

though seemingly insignificant

Underscores that despite appearing unimportant, the characteristic holds some value.

even at a minimum

Stresses the lowest possible threshold or degree of the characteristic.

FAQs

How can I use "albeit small" in a sentence?

Use "albeit small" to concede that something is limited in size, scope, or importance, but still relevant. For instance, "The company experienced growth, "albeit small", in the last quarter." It's generally placed before the adjective it modifies.

What are some alternatives to "albeit small"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "though limited", "even if modest", or "while reduced" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to use "albeit small"?

While it might seem redundant, "albeit small" is used to explicitly acknowledge and downplay the magnitude of something. The phrase adds a layer of precision, indicating that despite being small, the factor is still worth noting. Its use largely depends on the desired emphasis and level of detail.

What is the correct position of "albeit small" in a sentence?

"Albeit small" typically precedes the element it modifies, usually an adjective. For example, "The improvement was noticeable, "albeit small"." Placing it elsewhere might make the sentence awkward or unclear.