small consolation

USAGE SUMMARY

"small consolation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something offered is not enough to make up for a loss or disappointment. For example: "We may have won the prize, but it's a small consolation compared to what we actually wanted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Small consolation.

The New York Times

There is one small consolation.

Independent

That's the small consolation.

The Guardian - Opinion

But this is small consolation in Cairo.

The New Yorker

(Hey, I said it was small consolation).

The New York Times

There was, however, a small consolation.

The New York Times

That is small consolation for the Tigers.

The Guardian - Sport

Small consolation, it seemed, for Leonard.

The New York Times - Sports

Small consolation that it didn't: the Rangers revoked their offer.

The New Yorker

It's probably small consolation that they mean no harm.

The New York Times

The players seemed to take small consolation in their resilience.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine “small consolation” with phrases like “if that is any” or “though it may be” to subtly acknowledge the insufficiency of the consolation while maintaining a tone of empathy.

Common error

Avoid using "small consolation" when the comfort or relief provided is actually substantial or significant. Doing so undermines the meaning of the phrase and can confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small consolation" functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun, expressing that something offers only a minor or inadequate form of comfort or relief. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

15%

General

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small consolation" is a commonly used expression to denote something that provides minimal comfort or relief in the face of a significant loss or disappointment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable in both formal and informal contexts. Its primary function is to acknowledge a negative situation while pointing out a minor positive aspect, aiming to offer a degree of solace. While versatile, it's crucial to use "small consolation" when the relief is genuinely minor, avoiding misapplication in situations where comfort is substantial. Alternatives include "meager comfort" and "slight comfort", each carrying nuanced implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meager comfort

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the comfort provided.

slight comfort

Highlights the minimal degree of comfort.

minor solace

Uses a more formal term, "solace", to denote the slight relief.

limited relief

Focuses on the restricted extent of the relief offered.

cold comfort

Suggests the comfort provided is unconvincing or unhelpful.

poor substitute

Highlights the inferiority of the consolation compared to what is truly desired.

a drop in the bucket

Illustrates the insignificance of the consolation in relation to the problem.

little to be thankful for

Highlights a sense of ingratitude towards the attempt of consolation

scant substitute

Highlights the lack of a good substitute to the main event.

hardly a solution

Points out that it can be considered a solution to the problem itself.

FAQs

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

Use "small consolation" to express that something provides a slight comfort but does not fully compensate for a loss or disappointment. For example, "Winning a silver medal was a "small consolation" after missing gold by a fraction of a second."

What are some alternatives to "small consolation"?

You can use alternatives such as "meager comfort", "slight comfort", or "minor solace" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "small consolation" in formal writing?

Yes, "small consolation" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, in very formal contexts, you might prefer alternatives like "minor solace".

What's the difference between "small consolation" and "cold comfort"?

"Small consolation" implies that something provides a minimal amount of comfort. "Cold comfort", on the other hand, suggests that the comfort offered is unhelpful or even disheartening.