small incident

USAGE SUMMARY

'small incident' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to refer to some event, occurrence, or occurrence that is not very large, important, or significant. Example sentence: I quickly forgot about the small incident that happened last week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is not a small incident".

The New York Times

One small incident can turn a match on its head.

The Guardian - Sport

Suddenly, a small incident now loomed as a bigger one.

The New York Times

One really quite small incident will always stay with me.

The Guardian

It is a small incident — no explosions or casualties — but it speaks volumes.

The New York Times - Books

"It was a small incident, but it could have been avoided," Mr. Mal said.

The New York Times

For Riba, "each small incident, if one knows how to read it... has a wondrous quality".

The New Yorker

It's one small incident in a kitchen or at a club that means something".

The New York Times - Arts

It was a small incident, over as quickly as it blew up.

The New York Times

"The political feeling in the country is reflected in this small incident," she said.

The New York Times

Certainly the risk has increased that a small incident might escalate into a bigger conflict.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small incident" when you want to downplay the significance of an event, but be mindful of the context, as minimizing serious issues can be insensitive.

Common error

Avoid using "small incident" to describe events that have significant impacts on people or situations, as it can come across as dismissive or insensitive. Consider using more appropriate language that reflects the gravity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small incident" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes an event or occurrence that is considered minor or insignificant. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples demonstrating its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

16%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "small incident" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase intended to downplay the significance of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its wide use across different types of sources. While generally neutral, context dictates the formality. It is important to use "small incident" judiciously to avoid minimizing genuinely serious issues. Consider alternatives like "minor event" or "trivial matter" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor event

Replaces "incident" with "event", emphasizing the occurrence's minor nature.

minor occurrence

Direct synonym replacement, focusing on the event's minor nature.

small matter

More concise and directly replaces "incident" with "matter".

trivial matter

Substitutes "small incident" with a phrase that highlights the lack of importance.

inconsequential event

Emphasizes that the event has no significant consequences.

insignificant occurrence

Replaces both words with synonyms conveying a lack of significance.

slight issue

Replaces "incident" with "issue" to frame it as a problem, but a small one.

petty affair

Uses "petty" and "affair" to indicate a minor and often trivial event.

trifling matter

Uses "trifling" to indicate that the matter is not worth serious consideration.

negligible happening

Highlights the unimportance of the event using "negligible".

FAQs

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

You can use "small incident" to describe a minor event or occurrence that is not particularly significant. For instance, "The argument was just a "small incident" and was quickly forgotten."

What's the difference between "small incident" and "major event"?

"Small incident" refers to something of little importance or consequence, while "major event" describes something significant and impactful. The scale of impact and importance are the key differentiators.

What can I say instead of "small incident"?

You can use alternatives like "minor event", "trivial matter", or "insignificant occurrence" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "small incident" to describe a crime?

Using "small incident" to describe a crime can be perceived as downplaying the seriousness of the offense. It is generally better to use more specific and descriptive language that accurately reflects the nature and impact of the crime.