minor miracle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minor miracle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small but surprising or fortunate event that seems almost impossible. Example: "Finding a parking spot right in front of the restaurant during the busy dinner hour felt like a minor miracle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is a minor miracle.

The Economist

This was a minor miracle.

The New York Times

LAST year there occurred a minor miracle.

The Economist

At my age, it's a minor miracle".

Independent

To her that is a minor miracle.

The New York Times

It has been a minor miracle.

The Guardian - Sport

Luckily nobody was injured - that's a minor miracle in itself".

Independent

Just to get that far would be a minor miracle.

The Economist

It remains a bumpy thrill and a minor miracle.

The New York Times - Arts

Less noticed is a minor miracle in its own midst.

The Economist

It's a minor miracle that computer scientists reached the petascale.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "minor miracle" to describe a surprisingly positive outcome, especially when the odds of success seemed low. For instance, "Securing funding for the project at the last minute was a "minor miracle".

Common error

Avoid using "minor miracle" for routine or easily achievable outcomes. Save it for situations where the result is genuinely unexpected and beneficial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor miracle" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving to describe an event or occurrence that is both fortunate and somewhat improbable. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase highlights a positive outcome that surpasses typical expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "minor miracle" is a commonly used noun phrase that effectively conveys a sense of surprise and appreciation for a positive, unexpected event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, particularly within News & Media. While various alternatives exist, such as "small wonder" or "lucky break", "minor miracle" strikes a balance between formality and expressiveness, making it a versatile choice. It's best used to describe outcomes that genuinely defy expectations, avoiding overuse in mundane situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small wonder

Emphasizes the surprising nature of the event but implies a slightly lesser degree of unexpectedness.

fortunate event

Focuses on the positive outcome and luck involved, without necessarily implying an extraordinary occurrence.

lucky break

Highlights the element of chance and good fortune in achieving a positive result.

stroke of luck

Stresses the sudden and unexpected nature of the fortunate occurrence.

happy accident

Suggests that the positive outcome was unintentional or unplanned.

bit of luck

Downplays the significance of the event, portraying it as a small instance of good fortune.

unexpected blessing

Highlights the positive and often welcome nature of the unforeseen event.

piece of good fortune

Emphasizes the positive aspect and the role of luck in the occurrence.

fluke occurrence

Stresses the improbable and accidental nature of the positive event.

happy coincidence

Focuses on the chance alignment of events that led to a favorable outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "minor miracle" to describe a small but significant positive event. For example, "It was a "minor miracle" that nobody was hurt in the accident".

What are some alternatives to "minor miracle"?

Alternatives to "minor miracle" include "small wonder", "fortunate event", or "lucky break", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "minor miracle" in formal writing?

While "minor miracle" is widely understood, consider the tone of your writing. In highly formal contexts, "fortunate event" might be a more suitable alternative.

What makes an event qualify as a "minor miracle"?

A "minor miracle" is an event that is unexpectedly positive and somewhat improbable, but not of the same scale as a major miracle. It's a fortunate occurrence that defies expectations to some degree.