small miracle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'small miracle' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a situation or event that is surprising and unexpected, usually in a positive way. For example, "After months of searching, we finally found the perfect house - it was a small miracle!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Small miracle.

The New Yorker

This was no small miracle.

The New York Times

A small miracle.

The New York Times - Sports

Then a small miracle occurred.

The New York Times

It was a small miracle.

The New York Times - Magazine

This is no small miracle.

The New York Times

Fashion photography without snobbery: a small miracle.

The New York Times

Within nature's mess was one small miracle.

The New York Times

After Cincinnati, what a small miracle.

The New York Times - Sports

"A small miracle," Clément called it.

The New York Times - Sports

That really is a small miracle".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small miracle" to describe events where the positive outcome was highly improbable or unexpected. It is suitable for situations where a sense of wonder or gratitude is appropriate, but the event doesn't warrant being described as a major or significant miracle.

Common error

While "small miracle" is a vivid expression, avoid overuse. Employ more varied vocabulary to maintain the impact and avoid sounding repetitive or cliché. Alternatives like "lucky break" or "fortunate event" can add nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small miracle" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "small" modifies the noun "miracle". It describes an event or situation deemed unexpectedly fortunate. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is perfectly correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small miracle" is a common and generally appropriate way to describe a fortunate and unexpected event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While primarily functioning as a noun phrase to express surprise and gratitude, remember to use it judiciously, considering alternatives like "minor miracle" or "stroke of luck" to avoid overuse. Its neutral-to-informal register makes it suitable for many contexts, although formal writing may benefit from more restrained alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor miracle

Emphasizes the scale of the miracle being relatively small or insignificant.

welcome surprise

Focuses on the positive emotional response to an unexpected beneficial event.

stroke of luck

Highlights the role of chance or good fortune in the positive outcome.

lucky break

Highlights sudden and unexpected good fortune, typically in overcoming a difficulty.

fortunate event

Focuses on the positive and lucky nature of what happened, downplaying any sense of divine intervention.

surprising turn

Underlines an unanticipated shift in circumstances leading to a positive result.

unexpected blessing

Suggests a positive outcome that was neither anticipated nor deserved, similar to a miracle but with a less religious connotation.

happy accident

Implies the positive outcome was unintentional or unplanned.

bit of serendipity

Highlights the chance element, suggesting a pleasant surprise discovered while looking for something else.

fluke occurrence

Suggests a less probable event and its chance origin.

FAQs

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

You can use "small miracle" to describe an unexpected and welcome event, for example: "It's a "small miracle" that we found the missing keys just before leaving for the airport.".

What's a good alternative to "small miracle"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "minor miracle", "stroke of luck", or "happy accident".

What does it mean to call something a "small miracle"?

Calling something a "small miracle" suggests that an event or outcome, while not monumental, was highly fortunate and unlikely to occur, evoking a sense of gratitude and wonder.

Is "small miracle" appropriate for formal writing?

While "small miracle" is widely understood, it might be more suitable for informal or creative writing. In formal contexts, consider more neutral alternatives like "fortunate event" or "lucky break".