minor but consequential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minor but consequential" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that may seem small or insignificant but has important effects or outcomes. Example: "While the changes to the policy were minor but consequential, they ultimately improved employee satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But consequential?

The New York Times - Food

The polls are not only extensive, but consequential.

The Washington Post

His visit was to prove unexpectedly short (seven months), but consequential.

The Economist

First, consider the prosaic but consequential details leading to the Aug. 1 market shift.

The New York Times

The investor Nassim Taleb explains how markets can be blindsided by improbable but consequential events.

The New York Times - Books

Most minor but three deaths".

The New York Times

My own adjustments were minor, but telling.

The New York Times

A minor but not completely insignificant example.

The New Yorker

"Pretty minor, but funny.

Huffington Post

Not a great speech, but extremely consequential.

The Washington Post

But as consequential as they are, they need an audience.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "minor but consequential" to highlight that even seemingly insignificant actions or details can have substantial and unforeseen impacts. This is particularly effective in analytical writing or when explaining complex systems where small changes can trigger large effects.

Common error

Don't use "minor but consequential" when something is simply consequential. The 'but' signals a contrast; if there's no initial appearance of being minor, the phrase is misused.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor but consequential" functions as a descriptive modifier, highlighting a contrast between an initial perception of insignificance and the actual importance or impact of something. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minor but consequential" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe situations where something seemingly small or unimportant has significant effects. Although Ludwig's analysis indicates the phrase is correct and usable, there were no exact examples found in the provided data, indicating a low frequency. When using this phrase, be sure to emphasize the contrast between the initial perception of insignificance and the actual impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small but important

Replaces "minor" with "small" and "consequential" with "important", maintaining the core meaning.

seemingly insignificant yet significant

Emphasizes the initial appearance of insignificance before highlighting its actual importance.

apparently trivial but impactful

Uses "apparently trivial" to underscore the contrast with its impactful nature.

modest yet meaningful

Substitutes "minor" with "modest" and "consequential" with "meaningful", softening the tone slightly.

subtle but far-reaching

Highlights the subtlety of the cause and the extensive scope of the effect.

small-scale but with large implications

Focuses on the size of the initial event versus the breadth of its consequences.

insignificant on the surface but profound

Emphasizes the hidden depth of the consequences despite a superficial appearance of unimportance.

apparently negligible but ultimately decisive

Stresses the final, crucial impact that the "negligible" thing has.

understated but with major ramifications

Uses "understated" to describe the initial impression, contrasting it with the serious ramifications.

ostensibly inconsequential but deeply significant

Highlights the deep significance that belies its initial appearance as being inconsequential.

FAQs

How can I use "minor but consequential" in a sentence?

Use "minor but consequential" to describe situations where something small or seemingly unimportant has a significant impact. For example: "While the changes to the policy were "minor but consequential", they ultimately improved employee satisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "minor but consequential"?

You can use alternatives like "small but important", "seemingly insignificant yet significant", or "apparently trivial but impactful" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "minor and consequential" or "minor but consequential"?

"Minor and consequential" suggests two independent qualities. "Minor but consequential" emphasizes a contrast, highlighting that something appears small yet has significant effects. The latter is usually more impactful.

What's the difference between "minor" and "consequential"?

"Minor" indicates something small or unimportant, while "consequential" means something has significant results or effects. Using "minor but consequential" together creates a contrast, emphasizing that despite its small appearance, something has major effects.