at a small level

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a small level" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs or is relevant on a minor or limited scale. Example: "The changes we implemented had an impact at a small level, but we hope to see more significant results in the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"The Chinese sometimes try things out at a small level, and if it doesn't work they step back".

The New Yorker

I'm seeing, at a small level, a kind of protest from the people who create jobs, the people who create wealth, who are pulling back from their ambitions because they see how they'll be punished for them".

The Guardian - Opinion

CP symmetry is violated at a small level in the Standard Model, but this violation is too small to be seen by current EDM experiments and also is insufficient to explain the asymmetry between matter and anti-matter in the Universe.

Princeton University

We've got a couple of projects started at a small level in this area — one is called Spectator, an add-on mostly used to improve the user interface of Firefox, and another is a project in Mozilla Labs called Test Pilot.

The Guardian - Tech

Cox hopes that proving his abilities at a small level will help him secure banks loans as well as community investment for a larger brewery.

BBC

Creative writers perform a number of "community" functions: teaching at local schools and prisons, organizing local festivals at a small level, and instructing adults or school children, that is, those without aspirations to becoming full-fledged apprentices, as a mark of honor.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The figures at such a small level get a bit erratic as the ABS does not seasonally adjust the figures, but using a rolling 12-month average takes out a lot of the noise.

The Guardian - Business

Passion is the key word: the beer business is about volume, and at such a small level, it's almost impossible to turn a profit, since the margins on keg sales to bars and restaurants is extremely low.

The New York Times - Food

The lack of significance of breadth of services at the locality level may partly be due to a lack of variation in services provided at such a small level.

Health Economics Review

However, the scale preferences of conservationists who value the presence of individual species, of land owners who are limited by the boundaries of their land and the quality of the (contaminated) soil, and particularly of river managers who can best safeguard their interests in navigation and dike stabilities at a small levels of scale, steered the focus towards a floodplain level.

Environmental Management

The two-way interaction effects are all negative at a smaller level.

International Journal of Mineral Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing pilot projects or initial implementations, use "at a small level" to convey that the project is starting modestly and may be expanded later.

Common error

While "at a small level" is acceptable, overuse in formal reports can make writing sound less sophisticated. Opt for more precise alternatives like "to a limited extent" or "on a minor scale" to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a small level" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the extent or scale of an action or state. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in specifying the limited scope of various activities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at a small level" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating that something occurs or exists on a minor or limited scale. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it appears in various contexts including news, science and business. When using this phrase, consider synonyms like "on a minor scale" or "to a limited extent" for more sophisticated writing. Avoid overusing it in formal reports. Overall, "at a small level" is a reliable way to convey limited scope or impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on a minor scale

Replaces "at a" with "on", focusing on the extent of something.

to a limited extent

Emphasizes the restricted scope or degree.

on a reduced scale

Highlights the decreased size or proportion.

in a limited capacity

Focuses on the restricted ability or capability.

to a minimal degree

Stresses the very slight or small amount.

at a basic level

Indicates a fundamental or elementary stage.

in a modest way

Highlights the unassuming or moderate manner.

on a manageable scale

Emphasizes the ease of handling or controlling.

in a confined space

Focuses on the restricted area or environment.

to a certain degree

Implies an unspecified but limited amount.

FAQs

What does "at a small level" mean?

The phrase "at a small level" means that something is happening or being done on a limited or minor scale. It indicates that the scope or intensity is not significant.

What can I say instead of "at a small level"?

You can use alternatives like "on a minor scale", "to a limited extent", or "in a modest way" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "at a small level"?

Yes, "at a small level" is a correct and usable phrase in English. According to Ludwig, it accurately describes something occurring or being relevant on a minor or limited scale.

How can I use "at a small level" in a sentence?

You can use "at a small level" to describe the scale of an activity, impact, or implementation. For example: "The project was initially implemented at a small level before being expanded to other regions."