small improvement

USAGE SUMMARY

'small improvement' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when making a comparison of something or when referring to a slight change or improvement that has been made. Example sentence: We have made a small improvement in our overall sales figures this quarter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a small improvement.

The New York Times

He's not a small improvement but a major one imho.

The Guardian - Sport

Total sleep time indicated a small improvement.

Sleep Medicine Reviews

Even a small improvement could cut global carbon emissions significantly.

MIT Technology Review

It's a small improvement but oh my, is it useful.

Independent

Already some of the services have seen a small improvement in recruiting.

The New York Times

One million dollars might sound like an awfully big prize for such a small improvement.

The New York Times - Magazine

The other dressings didn't hit homers either, but they were a small improvement.

The New York Times

The rounded balance of -11% was a small improvement on -18% in October's poll.

The Guardian - Business

Those 2011 results showed a small improvement in English and maths.

The Guardian

"It's a very small improvement and you have a long way to go".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small improvement" to acknowledge progress without overstating the achievement, especially when expectations were higher.

Common error

Avoid using "small improvement" when the situation requires a substantial or radical change. Overstating a minor positive change in a context that warrants a more significant transformation could be perceived negatively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small improvement" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" is an adjective modifying the noun "improvement". As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to denote a minor positive change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small improvement" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a minor positive change. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, it functions as a noun phrase and is versatile enough for use in diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and formal writing. While it's important to quantify the improvement when possible and avoid using the phrase when a more substantial change is needed, "small improvement" serves as a useful and balanced way to acknowledge progress without overstating its significance. It's usage patterns reflect its wide applicability, and its meaning is closely related to alternatives like "slight enhancement" and "modest progress".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight enhancement

Emphasizes the act of making something better, with a focus on the process.

marginal gain

Focuses on the outcome or benefit achieved, even if it's minimal.

modest progress

Highlights the forward movement made, though limited in scope.

minor adjustment

Suggests a correction or alteration that leads to a slight betterment.

incremental advance

Stresses the gradual and step-by-step nature of the improvement.

subtle refinement

Implies an improvement achieved through careful and precise adjustments.

limited amelioration

Indicates a restricted or constrained improvement in a negative situation.

gradual betterment

Highlights the gradual process of becoming better or more satisfactory.

partial upturn

Focuses on a limited increase or rise after a decline.

tactical advantage

Implies an intentional plan to gain an advantage, even if it is small.

FAQs

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

You can use "small improvement" to describe a slight positive change, such as: "The new software update represents a "small improvement" in user experience."

What are some alternatives to saying "small improvement"?

Alternatives include "slight enhancement", "marginal gain", or "modest progress", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a small improvement was made"?

Yes, "a small improvement was made" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It indicates that some progress, albeit minor, has occurred.

What's the difference between "small improvement" and "significant improvement"?

"Small improvement" indicates a minor positive change, while "significant improvement" implies a substantial and noteworthy positive change.