minor marvel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minor marvel" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is impressive or remarkable, but not on a grand scale. An example could be: "The intricate design of the small clock was a minor marvel of craftsmanship." Alternative expressions include "small wonder" and "little marvel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

THE Tesco "superstore" in Kensington is a minor marvel.

The Economist

The incongruity of Blankley is a minor marvel in Washington history.

The New Yorker

It's a minor marvel, then, that this show isn't a complete wreck.

The New York Times

It was done by wresting control from the big studios and cannily using rights to minor Marvel characters as leverage.

The Guardian

It is a minor marvel of utilitarian tilework: not just milk white but also oyster gray, wheat brown and beef red.

The New York Times

Even viewers entirely innocent of film history — even the young, blockbuster-fed movie fans who find themselves dragged to and then transported by this minor marvel — will anticipate what happens next.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But to architecture buffs, they are minor marvels.

The New York Times

The Mavic Air is a minor engineering marvel.

TechCrunch

In May 2014, Gunn stated that the film features an "enormous" amount of smaller and minor characters from the Marvel Universe, adding that he felt the film had the most characters overall of any Marvel Studios film to date.

Wikipedia

What secrets lie in the brief glimpses of minor characters and bits of Marvel universe ephemera?

Vice

Marvel has frequently triumphed by borrowing only minor story notes from its plentiful back catalogue of comic books.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "minor marvel" to describe something impressive in its category or for its size. It's particularly effective when highlighting unexpected excellence.

Common error

Avoid using "minor marvel" for truly groundbreaking achievements. It's best reserved for things that are delightful or impressive in a limited scope.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor marvel" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It typically serves to highlight something that is surprisingly impressive, clever, or delightful given its apparent limitations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a valid and descriptive term.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minor marvel" is a grammatically sound and semantically rich phrase used to describe something impressive, clever, or delightful on a small scale. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for a variety of writing contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, its use conveys admiration for something that exceeds expectations without being groundbreaking. When using "minor marvel", consider alternatives such as "small wonder" or "modest miracle" to add variety to your writing, ensuring that you're accurately portraying the scale and significance of the subject you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small wonder

Replaces "marvel" with "wonder", conveying a sense of slight astonishment or admiration.

modest miracle

Substitutes both "minor" and "marvel" with synonyms, emphasizing the unexpectedly positive nature of the thing being described.

inconspicuous wonder

Highlights that something is impressive, even though not readily noticed.

slight sensation

Shifts the focus to the impact or feeling caused by the thing, rather than its inherent qualities.

subtle spectacle

Refers to an impressive display or performance that is understated rather than overt.

petty phenomenon

Uses "petty" to indicate smallness, while "phenomenon" highlights an unusual occurrence.

diminutive delight

Indicates a source of pleasure that is small in size or significance.

humble triumph

Emphasizes the achievement aspect of the marvel, while maintaining a sense of modesty.

trivial treasure

Highlights the value of something that might otherwise be considered unimportant.

little gem

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe something small and precious.

FAQs

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

You can use "minor marvel" to describe something that is impressive or remarkable, but not on a grand scale. For example: "The intricate clockwork inside the watch was a "minor marvel" of engineering."

What's a good alternative to "minor marvel"?

Alternatives include phrases like "small wonder", "modest miracle", or "little gem", depending on the specific context.

Is "minor marvel" formal or informal?

"Minor marvel" is suitable for both neutral and slightly formal contexts. It's commonly found in news articles and descriptive writing.

What kind of things can be described as a "minor marvel"?

Anything from a clever technological innovation to an unexpected act of kindness can be described as a "minor marvel", as long as its impact or scale is relatively contained.