minimal difference

USAGE SUMMARY

"minimal difference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation in which there is very little or no difference between two things. For example: "The results of the experiment showed only a minimal difference between the two treatments."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As with all big chains, there is minimal difference among outlets.

The New York Times

There was only a minimal difference in the average ACT scores of men and women.

The New York Times

Black squares indicate the minimal difference values across the input space.

Nature

Minimal difference in OC expression was observed between juvenile and adult dura mater.

Stanford University

There was minimal difference in the intercondylar distance between the groups.

British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Given the minimal difference in root growth, the lack of differences in top growth are understandable.

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

There was minimal difference between the twice-daily and thrice-daily regimens.

The New York Times - Health

The surgery has had an impact on his swing, but Ventura said it was a minimal difference and requires simple adjustments.

The New York Times - Sports

Results indicated minimal difference in herpetofaunal diversity among treatments at the landscape-scale after 23 years of management.

Forest Ecology and Management

The AST and ALT levels in CrPic group were of minimal difference compared to the control groups.

Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry

Hypoxic HIF-1α knockdown cells present minimal difference or nearly the same values than control cells in normoxia (Fig. 3D F).

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "minimal difference" to objectively describe situations where the variance between two or more elements is small and insignificant. This helps avoid exaggerating minor discrepancies.

Common error

Avoid using "minimal difference" when the variance has practical implications. If the small difference leads to a measurable impact, describe the impact instead of dismissing it as minimal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimal difference" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "minimal" modifies the noun "difference". It describes the extent or degree of dissimilarity between two or more entities. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

27%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minimal difference" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to indicate that the variation between two entities is slight or negligible. Appearing mostly in science, news, and academic contexts, the phrase maintains a formal register. When using "minimal difference", remember to objectively describe the variance and avoid overstating its significance. Consider alternatives like "slight distinction" or "negligible variation" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight distinction

Emphasizes the subtlety of the difference.

negligible variation

Highlights that the variation is so small it's practically non-existent.

minor disparity

Indicates a small and unimportant difference.

inconsequential contrast

Suggests the contrast exists but has no significant impact.

small deviation

Focuses on the slight departure from a norm or average.

limited divergence

Highlights the restricted extent of the separation or difference.

marginal difference

Highlights that the difference is at the edge of significance.

faint difference

Emphasizes the difficulty in perceiving the difference.

subtle nuance

Indicates a very fine and delicate difference, often in meaning or expression.

tiny distinction

Highlights the extremely small size of the distinction.

FAQs

How can I use "minimal difference" in a sentence?

You can use "minimal difference" to describe situations where there is a slight or negligible difference between two things. For example: "There was a minimal difference in test scores between the two groups."

What's a synonym for "minimal difference"?

Some synonyms for "minimal difference" include "slight distinction", "negligible variation", and "minor disparity".

Is it appropriate to use "minimal difference" in formal writing?

Yes, "minimal difference" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and concise way to describe a small or insignificant difference.

When should I avoid using "minimal difference"?

Avoid using "minimal difference" if the small difference has important consequences. In such cases, it's better to specify the actual impact rather than minimizing it.