minor difference

USAGE SUMMARY

"minor difference" is correct and can be used in written English.
The phrase can be used to describe a small variance or distinction between two things. For example, "There was a minor difference between the two proposals, but they both accomplished the same goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Features selected by different classifiers has minor difference, and results of prediction accuracy are also different.

BMC Genomics

Beyond personal allegiances, this has long been an example of Freud's narcissism of minor difference.

The Guardian - Opinion

Altogether, Europeans like to wallow in what Sigmund Freud called "the narcissism of minor difference".

The New York Times

This might seem to be a minor difference, but it made Mr. Greene a bit uneasy.

The New York Times

Coincidentally, with only a minor difference in budget, this is also a reasonably accurate description of my A-level Ancient History revision.

The Guardian - Opinion

Minor difference among applications can be coped with XML configuration files.

Fusion Engineering and Design

Though a seemingly minor difference, this is how the company worked around Apple's rules banning incentivized downloads.

TechCrunch

The curve of "remelted ash" shows the minor difference between bulk rock and interstitial melt.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

The minor difference indicates the model can represent population growth in Renren well.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

Minor difference was found in the fatty acid composition of the oils extracted by the two methods.

LWT - Food Science and Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We note another minor difference in the dynamics of haplotype frequencies in the presence of recombination.

Genetics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "minor difference" to downplay potentially alarming variations. This can be useful in technical reports or data analysis where precision is important, but slight variations do not significantly alter the overall conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "minor difference" when the variation actually has significant consequences. Ensure your analysis justifies characterizing the difference as minor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor difference" functions as a noun phrase, where "minor" modifies the noun "difference". As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and used to denote a small or insignificant variation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "minor difference" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a slight variation between two or more things. As Ludwig AI validates, its versatility makes it suitable for diverse contexts, from scientific reports to news articles. While seemingly straightforward, it's crucial to ensure the difference is indeed minor and doesn't carry significant implications. Alternatives like "slight discrepancy" or "small distinction" can offer subtle shifts in meaning, depending on the desired emphasis. Remember to use "minor difference" judiciously, especially when precision and accuracy are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight discrepancy

Highlights the small and often negligible nature of the difference.

small distinction

Emphasizes that the difference is not significant in terms of impact or importance.

negligible variation

Indicates that the difference is so small it can be disregarded.

marginal disparity

Suggests that the difference is on the edge of being noticeable.

trivial distinction

Implies that the difference is unimportant or inconsequential.

subtle variation

Emphasizes the understated and understated quality of the difference.

insignificant difference

Directly states that the difference lacks importance or consequence.

limited difference

Clarifies that the degree of difference is constrained or not broad.

modest difference

Highlights the conservative degree of variation.

superficial difference

Suggests that the difference only appears at the surface level and does not affect the deeper nature of the comparison.

FAQs

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

You can use "minor difference" to describe a small distinction between two things. For example, "There was a "minor difference" in the test results between the two groups."

What are some alternatives to "minor difference"?

Alternatives include "slight discrepancy", "small distinction", or "negligible variation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "minor difference"?

No, ensure the difference is genuinely small and does not significantly impact the overall outcome or conclusion. If the difference is substantial, use stronger terms like "significant difference" or "major disparity".

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

While similar, "minor difference" suggests the variance is almost inconsequential, whereas "slight difference" simply indicates it's not large. The choice depends on the degree of impact you want to imply.