small proviso

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small proviso" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to introduce a minor condition or limitation to a statement or agreement. Example: "I agree to the terms of the contract, but there is a small proviso that we need to discuss further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

One small proviso: the advantages of keeping your distance will come only if your hunches are as good as Mr Buffett's, your software as dominant as Mr Gates's or your films as popular as Mr Lucas's.

The Economist

But there is a small proviso.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There is a proviso in small print saying the bill could be revoked if Britain "changed its hostile manner".

The Guardian - Opinion

Fast enough to win but with the proviso that even small hills - think motorway bridges - seriously hurt him.

The Guardian - Sport

It is also in part due to the low baseline set by the proviso.

SEP

Doig immediately agreed, with the proviso that Walcott, who had only seen small reproductions of his paintings, which are often large, should see them in person.

The New Yorker

Similar fitnesses among these species means that they only require small niche differences for stable coexistence [10], [16], [28], with the proviso that our results are from only two years and thus it is impossible to infer stable coexistence.

Plosone

The tag needs to get this DC power from an incoming RF signal whose polarity changes about 900 million times per second, and with the proviso that at a few meters from the reader, a small tag antenna provides an open-circuit voltage of only about 0.1 0.3 V.

The RF in RFID Passive UHF RFID in Practice

They were the Funding for Lending scheme, which offers cheap funds to lenders under the proviso that this is then lent on to mortgage borrowers and small businesses, and the Help to Buy scheme.

BBC

I agree that replication speed is more likely to be responsible for the elimination of small amounts of intergenic and intragenic material in bacteria, subject to the provisos mentioned earlier (that there is no point in having additional regulatory elements if there is nothing for them to regulate).

Biology Direct

What makes SMT particularly clever is that a small increase in a chip's complexity results in a vast improvement in its performance, with one proviso: the gain comes when the chip is running lots of programs at once.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small proviso" when you want to introduce a relatively minor condition or limitation to an agreement or statement. This emphasizes that the condition is not a major impediment.

Common error

Avoid using "small proviso" when the condition you're introducing is actually significant or has major implications. Using "small" implies it's not a big deal, so ensure that accurately reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small proviso" functions as a qualifier, introducing a minor condition or limitation to a statement or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small proviso" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to introduce a minor condition or limitation. According to Ludwig AI, it is applicable in written English. The phrase is found in contexts such as News & Media and Science. While not very common, its use is straightforward and emphasizes that the introduced condition is relatively insignificant. Consider using alternatives like "minor condition" or "slight caveat" to vary your writing. Overall, "small proviso" is a useful tool for adding nuanced qualifications to your statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor condition

Focuses on the aspect of a condition that is not major or significant.

slight caveat

Highlights a minor warning or qualification attached to a statement.

small condition

Emphasizes the size of the condition being introduced.

minor stipulation

Emphasizes the act of specifying a condition that is not substantial.

limited exception

Focuses on the aspect of a concession that applies only in specific circumstances.

small qualification

Underlines a minor adjustment or modification to a statement.

minor limitation

Highlights a small constraint or restriction.

slight restriction

Emphasizes the minimal impact the condition.

small catch

Suggests a small hidden problem or disadvantage.

qualifying clause

Indicates a clause that modifies or limits the scope of a statement, though without emphasis on its scale.

FAQs

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

You can use "small proviso" to introduce a minor condition to an agreement. For example, "I agree to the terms, with the "small proviso" that the delivery date is flexible".

What are some alternatives to "small proviso"?

Some alternatives to "small proviso" include "minor condition", "slight caveat", or "minor stipulation".

Is it always necessary to specify the size of a proviso?

No, it's not always necessary. Specifying the size (e.g., "small", "major") depends on whether the relative importance of the condition is relevant to the context. Sometimes, just "proviso" is sufficient.

What's the difference between a "small proviso" and a "major condition"?

A "small proviso" indicates a minor or insignificant condition. In contrast, a "major condition" implies a significant or essential requirement that must be met for an agreement to proceed.