small but important

USAGE SUMMARY

"small but important" can be used in written English.
It is used to emphasize that something may be small in size or quantity yet still an important contribution, task, detail, etc. For example: "I was only able to make a small but important contribution to the team's project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These are small but important improvements.

The Economist

It was a small but important step.

The New York Times

9.02am GMT Small but important update.

The Guardian

Please support this small but important change to the bill.

Princeton University

Physically, the curvature effect is a small but important correction.

Combustion and Flame

In small but important ways, he is sounding more partisan.

The New Yorker

He was careful about lots of small but important details.

The New Yorker

A small but important number would vote for Mrs. Clinton.

The New York Times

To the ICC, that's a small but important victory.

The Washington Post

The answers sometimes focus on seemingly small but important questions.

The Guardian - Business

A few small but important technical points remain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing persuasive content, use "small but important" to bring attention to details that might be dismissed as unimportant, thus strengthening your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "small but important" too frequently in the same piece of writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, try varying your language with synonyms like "minor yet significant" or "subtle but meaningful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small but important" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase. It modifies an implied noun, emphasizing that something is both small in scale or appearance and significant in impact or value. Ludwig's AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Unknown/unmatched sources

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small but important" is a grammatically correct and versatile adjectival phrase used to emphasize the significance of something that might appear insignificant. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is very common, appearing frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When writing, be mindful of overusing the phrase; instead, leverage synonyms like "minor yet significant" or "modest but crucial" to maintain the impact and clarity of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor yet significant

Replaces "small" with "minor" and "important" with "significant", maintaining the core meaning.

modest but crucial

Substitutes "small" with "modest" and "important" with "crucial", emphasizing the critical nature.

insignificant but vital

Replaces "small" with "insignificant" and "important" with "vital", stressing the necessity.

limited but essential

Changes "small" to "limited" and "important" to "essential", highlighting the indispensable quality.

tiny but critical

Uses "tiny" instead of "small" and "critical" in place of "important", amplifying the crucial aspect.

seemingly trivial yet consequential

Highlights the contrast between apparent insignificance and actual impact.

subtle but meaningful

Replaces "small" with "subtle" and "important" with "meaningful", focusing on the value.

inconspicuous but remarkable

Emphasizes the noteworthy nature despite being not easily noticeable.

marginal but substantial

Uses "marginal" instead of "small" and "substantial" in place of "important", focusing on the magnitude.

negligible yet impactful

Highlights how something minimal can still create a strong influence.

FAQs

How can I use "small but important" in a sentence?

Use "small but important" to emphasize that something insignificant in size or appearance plays a vital role. For example, "The change was "minor yet significant", a "modest but crucial" turning point in the project."

What are some alternatives to "small but important"?

You can use alternatives like "minor yet significant", "modest but crucial", or "insignificant but vital" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "small but important"?

Yes, "small but important" is grammatically correct. It uses a coordinating conjunction ("but") to connect two adjectives ("small" and "important") modifying an implied noun.

What makes something "small but important"?

Something is "small but important" when its size, scope, or apparent significance belies its actual impact or necessity. It's a detail that, if overlooked, could have significant consequences.