one small difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one small difference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when highlighting a minor distinction or variation between two or more things. Example: "While both products are similar in design, there is one small difference in their functionality that sets them apart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Except on Nov. 29, there was one small difference: she didn't kill her daughter Nixzmary".

The New York Times

There is one small difference between us.

The Guardian - Travel

There was only one small difference in this afternoon's lopsided duel.

The New York Times - Sports

Well, there is one small difference between us and the Iraqi people: We have nuclear weapons to retaliate with and they did not.

The New York Times

Five and a half years ago Shazia Mirza was just another jobbing club comic, with one small difference: she was a Muslim.

The Guardian

The two teams were told they were competing against their peers to eat as many as they could with one small difference – one team was also surrounded by a bunch of cheering spectators.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

(He's right. I too have had a father and brother, though, in one small, technical difference, neither nor both were president with me trying to follow in their footsteps).

Huffington Post

On the one hand, small differences should be interpreted with caution when using the questionnaire, e.g. when significant differences are found in rank values but not in median response values.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Everyone has one, they all do a job really well, and when it comes to buying one, very small differences will make or break the sale.

Forbes

Nevertheless, this does indicate that optimal input data must be used, particularly in studies such as this one where small differences in the evolutionary constraints of a protein are being investigated.

Plosone

But there was one small but telling difference.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one small difference" to precisely highlight a minor variation when comparing similar items or situations to avoid exaggerating the distinction.

Common error

Avoid using "one small difference" when the actual variation is significant. This can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one small difference" primarily functions as a modifier, specifically to highlight a minor distinction between two or more things. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one small difference" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize a minor distinction. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in diverse contexts. It's frequently found in News & Media and Scientific publications, which highlights its neutral and professional tone. While seemingly simple, mastering the appropriate use of "one small difference" ensures clarity and precision in communication. Remember to use it when the difference is genuinely minor and avoid exaggeration. Explore related phrases like "slight variation" or "minor distinction" for nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight variation

Emphasizes the variation is minimal.

a minor distinction

Focuses on the distinction being unimportant or subtle.

a subtle nuance

Highlights the delicate and understated character of the difference.

a negligible variation

Indicates the variation is so small it's almost insignificant.

a trivial difference

Suggests the difference is unimportant and not worth considering.

a fine point of divergence

Highlights a subtle moment where things start to differ.

a hairline distinction

Emphasizes the distinction is incredibly thin and barely perceptible.

a marginal difference

Indicates that the difference is at the edge, in the margin.

a fractional variation

Expresses the variation is like a portion of the thing.

a minimal contrast

It states there's the smallest possible contrast.

FAQs

How can I use "one small difference" in a sentence?

You can use "one small difference" to point out a minor distinction between two similar things. For example, "Both cars are excellent, but there's "one small difference" in fuel efficiency".

What's the difference between "one small difference" and "significant difference"?

"One small difference" highlights a minor variation, whereas "significant difference" indicates a major, impactful distinction.

Are there situations where I shouldn't use "one small difference"?

Avoid using "one small difference" when the differences are substantial or have significant consequences. In those cases, it's better to use phrases like "major difference" or "key distinction".

What can I say instead of "one small difference"?

You can use alternatives like "slight variation", "minor distinction", or "subtle nuance" depending on the context.