small disagreement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small disagreement" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use this phrase in a sentence to express a minor conflict between two or more people. For example, "The twins had a small disagreement about what to watch on TV, but they eventually compromised."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

My brother has cut me and my family out of his life after a relatively small disagreement.

The Washington Post

We have a small disagreement about this: I say that often it's sparkiness and extroversion that gets you noticed in jobs, rather than silent diligence.

The Guardian

For liberals to make such a display of this relatively small disagreement reflects more poorly on them than it does on Frank.

The New York Times

Compounding Stournaras's problems, observers said, is the fact that the Samaras-led coalition, with an advantage of just five seats in Parliament, could be sunk by even a small disagreement.

The New Yorker

Midmorning, with the gongs of the supposedly soothing spa music crashing in the background, Dan and I retreated to a couch with a template for having a skilled conversation about a "small disagreement".

The New York Times - Magazine

The curves are almost symmetric and the small disagreement is due to the spiral's non-symmetric form.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Small disagreements exploded into shouting matches.

The New York Times

Small disagreements, indignities and disappointments that we might otherwise brush off may enrage us — generating hostile, defensive and predatory emotions — and in some cases give way to violence.

The Washington Post

The perception and reality of leverage throughout the financial system can magnify even small disagreements over figures.So it is time to hail the new age of volatility.

The Economist

For small disagreements, I think this holds true.

Science Magazine

It can come in all shapes and sizes, from small disagreements about the order of experiments to massive conflagrations over the quality of the thesis and financial support.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "small disagreement", provide context to illustrate its relative unimportance. This helps avoid exaggerating the conflict.

Common error

Avoid using overly dramatic language when describing a "small disagreement". Inflating its importance can damage your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small disagreement" functions as a noun phrase, specifically an adjective ("small") modifying a noun ("disagreement"). It describes a type of conflict or difference of opinion that is limited in scope or intensity, as supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small disagreement" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a minor conflict or difference of opinion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides ample real-world examples. Its frequency is classified as uncommon, and the contexts are primarily in news, science, and formal business settings. When employing this phrase, ensure not to overstate the situation. Alternative phrasings such as "minor misunderstanding" or "slight conflict" can offer subtle variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small misunderstanding

Almost interchangeable, emphasizing that the issues are likely just due to unclear communication.

minor misunderstanding

Suggests that the disagreement stems from a lack of clear communication.

minor difference of opinion

Replaces "disagreement" with a more formal and specific term.

slight conflict

Uses a more general term for disagreement, focusing on the conflict aspect.

trivial dispute

Emphasizes the insignificance of the disagreement.

insignificant squabble

Similar to 'petty quarrel' but slightly less harsh.

petty quarrel

Highlights the often childish or unimportant nature of the disagreement.

brief contention

Replaces disagreement with a more formal and less common term.

modest divergence

Focuses on a difference in direction or thought rather than direct conflict.

a bit of friction

Uses a metaphor to describe the minor tension caused by the disagreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "small disagreement" to describe a minor conflict or difference of opinion. For example, "They had a "small disagreement" about the restaurant choice, but quickly resolved it."

What's a less formal way to say "small disagreement"?

Informally, you might say "a minor tiff" or "a slight disagreement". These phrases convey a similar meaning but are less formal.

What are some synonyms for "small disagreement"?

Synonyms include "minor misunderstanding", "slight conflict", or "trivial dispute", each emphasizing a different aspect of the minor conflict.

How does "small disagreement" differ from "major conflict"?

"Small disagreement" implies a minor issue that is easily resolved, while "major conflict" suggests a serious and potentially long-lasting dispute.