small but significant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small but significant" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to something that is not very large but still of importance or meaning. For example, "The donation was small but significant, and we are very grateful for it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A small but significant word.

The Guardian - Sport

Here is one small, but significant, example.

The Economist

It's a small but significant sign.

The New Yorker

It's a small but significant move forward.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Today, there's a small but significant development.

The Guardian - Opinion

The reductions are small but significant.

The New York Times

Others may be small but significant.

The New York Times - Books

Ternate and Tidore are small but significant.

Britannica

That's a small but significant step forward.

MIT Technology Review

Moderation analyses indicated small, but significant, interactions.

Addictive Behaviors

The researchers said the change was small but significant.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "small but significant", ensure that the context clearly establishes both the limited scale of the subject and its disproportionate importance. This helps to create a balanced and impactful statement.

Common error

Avoid using "small but significant" to describe trivial matters. The phrase's power lies in highlighting a genuine disparity between size and impact, not in exaggerating minor details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small but significant" functions as a compound adjective modifying a noun. It emphasizes the contrast between the apparent size or scope of something and its actual importance. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small but significant" is a versatile and commonly used expression to emphasize the disproportionate impact of something seemingly minor. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, from News & Media to Science, solidify its reliability. The phrase effectively conveys that despite limited scale, the subject holds considerable importance. When employing "small but significant", ensure the context provides a clear contrast between the limited size and substantial effect to maximize its impact and avoid trivializing the message. The alternative options ("modest yet meaningful", "minor but consequential", and "slight but considerable") provide nuanced ways to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modest yet meaningful

Replaces "small" with "modest" and "significant" with "meaningful" to emphasize the importance of the effect.

minor but consequential

Uses "minor" instead of "small" and "consequential" instead of "significant" highlighting the resulting impact.

slight but considerable

Employs "slight" and "considerable" to suggest a subtle yet noteworthy influence.

limited yet important

Focuses on the contrast between limited size and the importance of the subject.

negligible yet impactful

Highlights that despite being negligible, the subject has great impact.

token but vital

Show the importance of a token subject even if it appears meaningless at first sight.

minute but critical

Uses "minute" and "critical" to emphasize the tiny size, but the importance.

inconsequential yet telling

Focuses on the contradiction of being inconsequential, yet revealing.

tiny but momentous

Uses "tiny" to define dimension, but indicates the subject is a "momentous" one.

marginal but substantial

Focuses on the contradiction of being marginal, but being very important.

FAQs

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

Use "small but significant" to describe something that is limited in size or scope but has a notable or important effect. For example, "The change in policy was "small but significant", leading to improved outcomes."

What are some alternatives to saying "small but significant"?

Alternatives include "modest yet meaningful", "minor but consequential", or "slight but considerable". The best choice depends on the specific nuances you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "small but significant"?

While seemingly contradictory, the phrase "small but significant" emphasizes a disproportionate impact. It highlights that something's importance exceeds its apparent size or scope, making it effective rather than redundant.

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

Avoid using "small but significant" when the impact is also minor or negligible. This phrase is most effective when there's a clear and noteworthy contrast between the size or scale and the resulting effect.