small addition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small addition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a minor increase or enhancement to something, such as a project, document, or recipe. Example: "The report was well-received, but I think a small addition of data analysis would strengthen our findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

So the Spitzer administration is now proposing a small addition of up to 60,000 square feet of additional meeting rooms and up to 40,000 square feet of exhibit space.

The New York Times

And that seemingly small addition has a surprisingly powerful effect.

The New York Times

"What they needed was a small addition, but with multiple personalities".

The New York Times

The extra day may be a small addition to the quarter (it made it 1.11% longer), allowing a commensurately small addition to GDP (1.0989 extra widgets).

The Economist

His new role was, it turned out, just a small addition to his portfolio of major responsibilities.

The Guardian - Sport

FOR many homeowners, the benefits of adding a new room are often outweighed by cost: even a small addition usually runs into tens of thousands of dollars.

The New York Times

It's a small addition, but it just keeps that sense of physicality – that sense that you're actually out there dangling from a 200ft cliff.

The Guardian - Tech

He wants to help his mother finish a small addition to her low-ceilinged, cinder-block house, and to give her a new table.

The New York Times - Magazine

By Hendrik Hertzberg July 21, 2009 While we're on the topic of the Jimmy Carter "malaise" speech, an historical footnote — a small addition to the record — is overdue.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The in-plane CTE in the graphene/epoxy composite can be effectively reduced with small additions of graphene additive.

Heliyon

Tesco only makes very small additions to the standard Android experience, which is a good thing.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical changes or enhancements, use "small addition" to emphasize that the change is minimal and doesn't drastically alter the original state.

Common error

Avoid using "small addition" when the actual impact is significant. Choose a more appropriate phrase if the contribution substantially changes the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small addition" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "small" modifies the noun "addition". It describes something that has been added in a limited or minimal quantity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is used correctly in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "small addition" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a minor increase or enhancement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. It is versatile and appears in various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the scale of the addition aligns with its descriptive nature to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor increment

Replaces "addition" with "increment", emphasizing the increase aspect with a slightly more formal tone.

slight increase

Substitutes "addition" with "increase", focusing on the aspect of growth and being less specific.

modest supplement

Replaces "addition" with "supplement", indicating something added to complete or enhance, with "modest" reinforcing the small size.

tiny enhancement

Replaces both "small" and "addition" with synonyms, emphasizing the improvement aspect and diminutive scale.

marginal increment

Similar to "minor increment" but implies that the increase is barely noticeable.

limited augmentation

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "small" with "limited" and "addition" with "augmentation".

negligible add-on

Emphasizes that the addition is so small it's almost insignificant.

minor adjustment

Indicates a slight change made to something, focusing on fine-tuning.

insignificant increase

Highlights that the increase is not substantial or important.

slight modification

Focuses on the aspect of change or alteration, keeping the size minimal.

FAQs

How can I use "small addition" in a sentence?

You can use "small addition" to describe a minor increase or enhancement. For example, "The "small addition" of spices enhanced the flavor of the dish."

What can I say instead of "small addition"?

You can use alternatives like "minor increment", "slight increase", or "modest supplement" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between ""small addition"" and "minor addition"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. Both indicate a minimal increase or supplement, but "minor addition" might subtly emphasize the unimportance of the change.

When is it appropriate to use ""small addition"" versus "significant addition"?

"Small addition" is appropriate when the increase or enhancement is minimal, whereas "significant addition" should be used when the change is substantial and has a noteworthy impact.