even if small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even if small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is acceptable or valid regardless of its size or magnitude. Example: "I appreciate your help, even if small, it made a difference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This estimation and rapid patient accrual enabled us to increase the sample size to detect accurately real, even if small, improvements in efficacy.

British Journal of Cancer

These oscillations, even if small, are then amplified by learning in the cerebellum.

Brain

"That's why the net fiscal impact is mostly positive," even if small.

The New York Times

Even if small classes are ideal in theory, they have a price.

The New York Times

Still backed by the crowd, even if small American flags could be seen, Edmund's forehand – his weapon – stabilized.

The New York Times

However, there is strong evidence that strokes, even if small, will make dementia worse at any stage of Alzheimer's.

The New York Times

"This group, even if small, will be one of the most important problems facing the new Government," said Mr. Kruszewski.

The New York Times

However, it's important to acknowledge victories, even if small or fleeting, not least because this is about people's lives.

The Guardian

But even if small businesses can't buy the kind of influence that a huge company like Amgen can, that does not mean they cannot buy influence at all.

The New York Times

Ms. Glassman said she believed that a run of exhibitions, even if small, would have a greater impact on audiences than a one-off.

The New York Times - Arts

But Dr Madsen has calculated that, even if small strangelets were formed by the RHIC, it should not be a cause for concern.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even if small" to acknowledge a condition without letting it negate the main point, showing nuance and thoroughness in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "even if small" repetitively in close proximity, as it can make your writing sound redundant. Vary your sentence structure and vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even if small" functions as a concessive conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that acknowledges a potential limitation or insignificance while not negating the main clause. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "even if small" is a versatile concessive conjunction, frequently used across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and serves to acknowledge a potential limitation without negating the main point. While its frequency is high, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid redundancy. Consider alternatives such as "even when minor" or "even though tiny" for variety. Overall, "even if small" is a valuable tool for nuanced and thorough communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even when minor

Replaces 'if' with 'when', emphasizing the condition's existence regardless of its size.

even though tiny

Substitutes 'if small' with 'though tiny', highlighting the diminutive aspect.

even with slight

Uses 'with slight' instead of 'if small', focusing on the presence of a small degree.

even should it be small

Rephrases with 'should it be small', adding a touch of formality and hypotheticality.

even if minimal

Replaces 'small' with 'minimal', stressing the condition's near insignificance.

even if negligible

Uses 'negligible' instead of 'small', emphasizing the condition's unimportance.

even granting it's small

Introduces 'granting', explicitly acknowledging the smallness of the condition.

even accepting it's small

Similar to 'granting', but uses 'accepting' to concede the point.

even at a small scale

Rephrases to focus on the 'scale' of the condition, rather than just its size.

even if on a limited scale

Similar to the previous, but adds 'on a limited scale' for clarification.

FAQs

How can I use "even if small" in a sentence?

The phrase "even if small" is used to acknowledge that something might be of limited size or impact, but it still holds true or is relevant. For example: "Even if small, every contribution counts."

What are some alternatives to "even if small"?

You can use alternatives like "even if minor", "even if tiny", or "even if negligible" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to include "even if small"?

No, it's not always necessary. The phrase is useful when you want to concede that something might not be significant in magnitude, but it still matters in some way. If the size or impact is irrelevant, you can omit the phrase.

What's the difference between "even if small" and "even though small"?

While both phrases express concession, "even if small" suggests a hypothetical situation or a condition that may or may not be true. "Even though small" implies that the smallness is a known or established fact. For example, "even if small, the gesture was appreciated" (hypothetical), versus "even though small, the diamond was valuable" (known fact).