few minor changes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few minor changes" is correct and usable in written English.
Example sentence: "Please make a few minor changes to the document and then send it to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Experts' alarm notwithstanding, the Duma promptly passed the bill with just a few minor changes.

The New Yorker

So I'd like to propose a few minor changes to the combine.

The New York Times

He said he was comfortable with the methods but might make a few minor changes.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's very easy to disguise someone with a few minor changes," he said.

The New York Times

My plan was to cook them like osso buco (usually made with veal), with a few minor changes.

The New York Times - Food

With a few minor changes teachers in year one and two can carry on after September 2014 as if nothing much has happened.

The Guardian

The lines have undergone a few minor changes - most recently at the hands of Harold Adamson, who, with Bernhard Hanighes, brought the little man into prominence.

The New Yorker

Adam Meyers, director of intelligence at Crowdstrike, said that apart from a few minor changes in tactics, it was "business as usual" for the Chinese hackers.

The New York Times

But Mr. Allmark added that Mattel thinks a few minor changes — faster storytelling, for instance — can make the anthropomorphic train more relevant to modern children.

The New York Times

A software update delivers a few minor changes – more international language support, some security fixes and so on – but if you've seen or used an American iPhone, then you know exactly what you're getting.

The Guardian - Tech

If you were very observant, you might have noticed that I did make a few minor changes to my uniform as secret reminders to myself of whatever heresy I was into at the time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "few minor changes", ensure that the context accurately reflects the scale of the adjustments. If the changes are more substantial, consider using a more appropriate phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "few minor changes" when the alterations are actually significant or extensive. This can mislead the audience and undermine the credibility of your communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few minor changes" typically functions as a noun phrase acting as an object or complement in a sentence. It describes the extent and nature of modifications made, indicating that they are both limited in number and significance. Ludwig confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "few minor changes" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe slight alterations. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media and science contexts. It's important to ensure that the scale of the changes is accurately represented to avoid misleading your audience. While alternatives like "several small adjustments" or "slight alterations" exist, "few minor changes" remains a versatile and widely understood option for communicating that adjustments have been made without fundamentally altering the subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several small adjustments

Replaces "few" with "several" and "minor changes" with "small adjustments", indicating a slightly greater number of alterations.

a couple of slight modifications

Substitutes "few" with "a couple" and "minor changes" with "slight modifications", emphasizing the insignificance and reduced impact of the alterations.

some small revisions

Replaces "minor changes" with "small revisions", focusing on improvements or corrections made to something.

slight alterations

Omits "few" and uses "slight alterations", suggesting minimal impact changes.

minimal adjustments

Uses "minimal adjustments" to indicate the changes are very small and barely noticeable.

a handful of subtle changes

Replaces "few" with "a handful" and "minor" with "subtle", suggesting that the alterations may not be immediately apparent.

some cosmetic changes

Uses "cosmetic changes" to specify that the alterations are primarily for appearance and do not affect functionality.

a limited number of alterations

Replaces "few" with "a limited number of" and uses "alterations" instead of "changes", formalizing the tone and emphasizing the restriction.

some slight amendments

Substitutes "minor changes" with "slight amendments", focusing on improvements or corrections made to something.

a handful of tweaks

Replaces "few minor changes" with "a handful of tweaks", which is more informal and suggests fine-tuning.

FAQs

How can I use "few minor changes" in a sentence?

You can use "few minor changes" to indicate that something has been slightly altered. For example, "The design was approved with a "few minor changes"." or "We made a "few minor changes" to the code to improve performance."

What are some alternatives to "few minor changes"?

Some alternatives to "few minor changes" include "several small adjustments", "a couple of slight modifications", or "slight alterations", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a few minor changes" or "few minor changes"?

Both "a few minor changes" and "few minor changes" are grammatically correct and commonly used. The inclusion of "a" before "few" can provide a slightly more emphatic or descriptive tone, but the meaning remains essentially the same.

What's the difference between "minor changes" and "major changes"?

"Minor changes" refer to small, often insignificant alterations that do not fundamentally alter something. In contrast, "major changes" indicate significant alterations that substantially modify the nature, function, or appearance of something.