small result

USAGE SUMMARY

"small result" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a goal, project, or action that has achieved an insignificant outcome. For example: "The team's hard work didn't amount to much, as the project yielded a small result."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

This produced a higher, but still small, result of 9%.

Harvard Business Review

One small result is that bars reopened in Baghdad after being closed in January.

The New York Times

"The work of feather counting is tedious and exacting," he explained, "and yields small result relative to the labour involved".

The Guardian

Larger bags make filling and handling easier, and tips that are not too big but not too small result in neat lines and shapes.

The Washington Post

The book was published posthumously in Spanish in 2004 to tremendous acclaim, after what appears to have been a bit of dithering over Bolaño's final intentions — a small result of which is that its English translation (by Natasha Wimmer, the indefatigable translator of "The Savage Detectives") has been bracketed by two faintly defensive statements justifying the book's present form.

The New York Times - Books

Jeweler Heger de Loewenfeld made a ring inspired by one of the paintings, and Braque was so pleased with this small result that he approached Daum, the French glass company, with plans to reproduce other Metamorphoses images.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Small studies with small results are not reassuring.

The New York Times

"I hope over the next year we'll see small results," Mr. Ballmer said.

The New York Times - Tech

Find out as much as you can, be motivated by small results.

The New York Times - Sports

Until these positive, but small, results are replicated in larger, controlled clinical trials, neurologists are containing their optimism.

Nature

How quickly do you think you can start seeing results in market share? A. I hope over the next year we'll see small results.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "small result", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific action or endeavor led to this limited outcome. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's informative value.

Common error

Avoid overstating the importance of a "small result". Using overly enthusiastic or superlative language can create a mismatch between the description and the actual outcome, undermining credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small result" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" is an adjective modifying the noun "result". It describes the nature of the outcome, indicating its limited scale or impact. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small result" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase used to describe an outcome that is limited in impact or scope. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness for use in written English. While acceptable across various contexts, including news and scientific writing, it is less common than more formal alternatives like "limited impact" in business or academic settings. The phrase's usage patterns indicate frequent appearances in news and media, as well as scientific publications, reflecting its role in honestly assessing outcomes without exaggeration. Remember to use it judiciously, ensuring the context clearly shows the action leading to the "small result", and avoid exaggerating its importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor outcome

Replaces "result" with "outcome", a direct synonym. "Minor" emphasizes the insignificance of the outcome.

limited impact

Shifts focus from the result itself to its effect, implying a minimal influence.

modest achievement

Replaces "result" with "achievement", suggesting a goal attained, but on a small scale.

marginal gain

Emphasizes the positive aspect of the result, but highlights its small size.

inconsequential consequence

Uses stronger synonyms to emphasize the lack of importance of the result.

negligible effect

Focuses on the impact, describing it as something that can be disregarded.

trivial outcome

Replaces "result" with "outcome" and describes it as unimportant or insignificant.

slight development

Highlights the progress made, yet emphasizes its small degree.

minimal progress

Focuses on the advancement achieved, but underscores its reduced scale.

unsubstantial effect

Emphasizes the lack of significant influence or impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "small result" to describe an outcome that is limited in scope or impact. For instance: "Despite the team's efforts, the changes yielded only a "small result"".

What are some alternatives to "small result"?

Alternatives include "minor outcome", "limited impact", or "modest achievement", depending on the specific context.

Is "small result" too informal for professional writing?

While "small result" is generally acceptable, in formal contexts, consider alternatives like "limited impact" or "marginal gain" to maintain a more professional tone.

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

"Small result" indicates a limited or insignificant outcome, while "significant result" implies a substantial and noteworthy achievement. The choice depends on the actual impact of the action or endeavor.