small refinement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small refinement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a minor adjustment or improvement in a process, design, or idea. Example: "After reviewing the project, I believe a small refinement in the layout could enhance its overall effectiveness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But one keyboard, the Zagg iPad Mini Folio, takes it a step further with one small refinement: a hinge that allows you to set the screen to any angle, just as you would with a laptop.

The New York Times - Tech

The small refinement in the model may very well lead to the model behavior diverging away from the system's behavior.

SEP

Even if a small refinement to the model is made "in the right direction," there is no guarantee that the nonlinear model will monotonically improve in capturing the target system's behavior.

SEP

The small refinement in data quality may very well lead to the model behavior diverging away from the system's behavior.[6] In the second approach, keeping the data fixed but making successive refinements in nonlinear models is also not guaranteed to lead to any convergence between model behavior and target system behavior.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Instead, there is a collection of small refinements.

The New York Times - Magazine

Thereafter, my technique, while remaining substantially the same, developed small refinements.

The New Yorker

Standing behind his cinematographer, Ed Talavera, the director calmly suggested camera angle changes and other small refinements between takes.

The New York Times

Though thematically similar to the 350Z's interior — three auxiliary gauges aimed at the driver, instrument cluster that tilts with the steering wheel — there are small refinements everywhere.

The New York Times

Most of the tracks on "Ode" were recorded in November 2008, with three exceptions dating to last April; presumably some small refinements have been made in the meantime.

The New York Times - Arts

The present policy—hammering out a power-sharing agreement between elected groups may be challenging but is more realistic than a belated quest for dictatorship lite.On closer inspection, in fact, many of the competing ideas masquerading in Washington as big new ideas turn out to be small refinements of the existing policy.

The Economist

That's a lot of small refinements for multiple platforms.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small refinement" when you want to emphasize that an improvement is subtle but still significant.

Common error

Avoid using "small refinement" when the change is actually a major overhaul or redesign. Ensure the adjective accurately reflects the scale of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small refinement" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "refinement". As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and serves to identify a subtle enhancement or adjustment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

65%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "small refinement" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe a minor improvement or adjustment. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news media and scientific writing. While alternatives like "minor adjustment" or "slight improvement" exist, "small refinement" carries a nuance of subtlety and precision. When using this phrase, ensure the scale of the "refinement" aligns with its description to avoid misrepresenting the impact of the change. The sources examined indicate that it's authoritative enough to use it in publications with trust.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor adjustment

Focuses on the act of adjusting something slightly, rather than the result.

small adjustment

Similar to "minor adjustment" but slightly less formal.

slight improvement

Emphasizes the positive change achieved, highlighting the betterment aspect.

subtle alteration

Highlights the delicate and barely perceptible nature of the change.

minor tweak

Informal term suggesting a quick and easy adjustment.

slight modification

A more formal term for making a small change, often in technical contexts.

fine-tuning

Implies making very precise adjustments to optimize performance.

slight revision

Suggests a review and correction process resulting in a minor change.

gentle correction

Emphasizes the delicacy and care taken in making the adjustment.

small enhancement

Highlights the improvement made, focusing on the positive addition.

FAQs

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

You can use "small refinement" to describe a minor improvement or adjustment made to something. For example, "After testing, we implemented a "small refinement" to the algorithm to improve its accuracy."

What are some alternatives to "small refinement"?

Alternatives to "small refinement" include "minor adjustment", "slight improvement", or "subtle alteration". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "small refinement" appropriate for formal writing?

"Small refinement" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in highly technical or scientific contexts, more precise terms like "slight modification" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "small refinement" and "major overhaul"?

"Small refinement" refers to a minor adjustment or improvement, while "major overhaul" indicates a significant reconstruction or redesign. The key difference lies in the scope and scale of the change being made.