small but noticeable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small but noticeable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that may not be large in size or quantity but is still significant enough to be observed or recognized. Example: "The changes in the design were small but noticeable, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

His changes have been small, but noticeable.

The New York Times

And there are some small, but noticeable line-fluffs from both Stewart and Kelly.

The Guardian - Film

In fact, it's more likely to be a small but noticeable impediment to job growth.

The New Yorker

Joining the currency gives a small but noticeable fillip to trade and investment, reducing risk and transaction costs.

The Economist

It seems possible, though, that Carlson's promotion to eight o'clock will, in a small but noticeable way, change the way people think about what Fox News does.

The New Yorker

"Many countries that require visas from their country to ours are no longer taking facsimiles," Steinfeld said of a small but noticeable change since last week's attacks.

The New York Times - Sports

By Hendrik Hertzberg The world turned upside down after September 11th, and, as a small but noticeable side effect, so did the sports section of the Times.

The New Yorker

8. (C) According to the IAEC, the GOI has urged the Europeans to examine bilateral or EU sanctions with small, but noticeable, economic impacts.

The Guardian

Mr. Bush's appearance here, as he tried to fuel a small but noticeable improvement in the polls, marked his third trip to Florida in as many weeks.

The New York Times

Rather, the small but noticeable drops of 38 of their 48 top-400 universities suggests that storm clouds are gathering over the British higher education system.

The Guardian

But while people are still joining Facebook and compulsively visiting the site, a small but noticeable group are fleeing — some of them ostentatiously.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "small but noticeable", ensure that the contrast between the small size and the ability to notice it is relevant to the point you're making. This emphasizes that even seemingly insignificant changes or details can have an impact or be easily observed.

Common error

Avoid using "small but noticeable" when the effect is truly negligible. If something is barely perceptible, it's better to describe it as 'negligible' or 'insignificant' to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small but noticeable" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe a quality or characteristic. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its role in specifying the extent and perceptibility of changes, effects, or differences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

36%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small but noticeable" is a versatile adjectival phrase used to describe something that is subtle yet easily observed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in diverse contexts ranging from News & Media to Science and general knowledge articles. When using "small but noticeable", ensure that the contrast between the 'small' size and the ability to 'notice' it is relevant. Remember to avoid overstating the 'noticeable' aspect to maintain accuracy. Related phrases such as "slight but perceptible" or "minor but appreciable" can be used to introduce subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight but perceptible

Replaces 'noticeable' with 'perceptible', emphasizing the ability to be perceived.

minor but appreciable

Substitutes 'small' with 'minor' and 'noticeable' with 'appreciable', highlighting a small yet significant amount.

subtle yet distinct

Uses 'subtle' instead of 'small' and 'distinct' instead of 'noticeable', focusing on the clarity of the difference.

marginal but evident

Replaces 'small' with 'marginal' and 'noticeable' with 'evident', stressing clear visibility.

inconspicuous but detectable

Highlights the difficulty in spotting it, but confirms its capacity to be detected.

modest but observable

Replaces 'small' with 'modest' and 'noticeable' with 'observable', focusing on the capacity to be observed.

limited but recognizable

Uses 'limited' instead of 'small' and 'recognizable' instead of 'noticeable', indicating something that is known or identified.

tiny yet apparent

Emphasizes how miniature the changes are, but how clear they are too.

slight but visible

Highlights the visible characteristic, while preserving its reduced size.

minor but significant

Replaces 'noticeable' with 'significant', highlighting a small but important effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "small but noticeable" to describe changes, differences, or effects that are subtle yet still easily observed. For example, "The new software update brought "small but noticeable" improvements to the user interface".

What are some alternatives to "small but noticeable"?

Alternatives include "slight but perceptible", "minor but appreciable", or "subtle yet distinct depending on the specific nuance you want to convey".

Is it redundant to say something is "small but noticeable"?

While it might seem contradictory, "small but noticeable" emphasizes that something doesn't need to be large to be significant or easily seen. It highlights a contrast between size and impact.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "small but noticeable"?

Avoid using "small but noticeable" if the change or effect is truly insignificant or undetectable. In such cases, a more accurate description might be 'negligible' or 'imperceptible'.