small detail

USAGE SUMMARY

"small detail" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it anytime you want to refer to a piece of information that is minor or unimportant. For example, "He paid attention to every small detail before making his final decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Every word, each small detail, counts.

The Economist

Except for one small detail: funding.

The Washington Post

While you're researching, record every small detail.

The Guardian

Probably just a small detail easily overlooked.

The Washington Post

It's a small detail, but a critical one.

MIT Technology Review

Another small detail Quinn takes note of is defenders' positioning.

The Washington Post

Perhaps I'm making too much of a small detail.

The New York Times - Arts

The self-styled reform candidate left out a small detail.

The New York Times

The second official (Amancio Gonzalez) is older and a more familiar bureaucratic type, whose questions and reordering of her account deny its validity, small detail by small detail.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The small details register.

The Guardian - Sport

The small details stand out.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small detail" to emphasize that a particular fact or element is not crucial to the overall understanding, but can still be significant in certain contexts. It's often used to downplay or introduce a minor, but potentially relevant, piece of information.

Common error

Avoid using "small detail" when the element is actually important or critical to the subject matter. If the detail significantly alters the overall picture, it shouldn't be dismissed as small.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small detail" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is used to identify an element that is considered to be minor or unimportant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small detail" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to refer to a minor or insignificant element. According to Ludwig AI, it’s perfectly acceptable for use in writing to downplay the importance of a particular fact. As demonstrated by Ludwig, the phrase appears frequently in news articles, encyclopedias, and wikis, indicating its broad applicability. While it's important to avoid overemphasizing the significance of a "small detail", being mindful of how it fits into the broader context, its usage is generally straightforward and valuable for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor point

Focuses on the insignificance of the item in question.

trivial aspect

Highlights the lack of importance of the feature.

insignificant particularity

Emphasizes the unimportance and specificity of the item.

slight feature

Underlines the subtlety of the characteristic.

negligible item

Stresses the unnoticeable nature of the component.

tiny element

Highlights the diminutive size of the aspect.

minute aspect

Emphasizes the precision and subtlety of the feature.

unimportant fact

Highlights the lack of relevance.

minor facet

Focuses on a less prominent side of something.

peripheral element

Indicates that the item is on the edge of importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "small detail" to refer to a minor or insignificant aspect of something, such as, "He overlooked one "small detail" in the contract, which later caused problems."

What are some alternatives to "small detail"?

Alternatives include "minor point", "trivial aspect", or "insignificant particularity", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to dismiss something as a "small detail"?

No, be cautious. What seems like a "small detail" might have significant implications. Consider the context carefully before downplaying its importance.

What's the difference between "small detail" and "minor detail"?

The terms are largely interchangeable. Both "small detail" and "minor detail" refer to an insignificant or less important element, but "small detail" might subtly emphasize size or scope, while "minor detail" emphasizes importance.