small rise

USAGE SUMMARY

"small rise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe an increase in a particular statistic that is not very large or considerable. For example: "Over the course of the year, there was a small rise in the number of people visiting the museum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're not talking about a small rise.

The Guardian

London showed a small rise in prices.

The Guardian - Business

Each small rise in interest rates was a major battle.

The New York Times

Even a small rise in unemployment soon dents consumer confidence.

The Economist

That may have led to a small rise in leaguewide scoring.

The New York Times

That led to the small rise in overall durable-goods orders in November.

The New York Times

Their heavily leveraged balance sheets magnify even a small rise in delinquencies.

The New York Times

It is not costless, there will be a small rise in inflation, but we need it.

The Guardian

Even a small rise in expenses creates stress on her budget.

The New Yorker

In January the Independent managed a small rise in paid-for circulation.

The Guardian

In Germany, a small rise in interest rates will barely scratch the economy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data, use "small rise" to indicate a minor increase that might be statistically significant but not necessarily impactful. For example: "The study showed a "small rise" in test scores after the intervention".

Common error

Avoid using "small rise" when the increase is negligible and irrelevant. "Insignificant rise" would be better in this case, as "small rise" still implies something worth noting, even if minor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small rise" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "small" modifies the noun "rise". It describes a quantitative change or an increase that is not substantial. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small rise" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a minor increase or upward trend. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is used across diverse contexts, especially in news reporting and scientific analyses. While subtle, the phrase conveys that there is an increase worth noting, even if not substantial. When choosing the best way to represent slight increments or ascensions, consider using related alternatives such as "slight increase" or "minor increase" for maintaining the same meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight increase

Changes the noun from "rise" to "increase" maintaining the core meaning with a slightly more formal tone.

minor increase

Substitutes "small" with "minor", keeping the essence of a minimal augmentation.

modest growth

Replaces "rise" with "growth", indicating a gradual development or expansion that is not substantial.

marginal gain

Uses "gain" instead of "rise", emphasizing a slight advancement or profit, which might be applicable in economic or performance contexts.

gentle climb

Employs "climb" instead of "rise", implying a gradual and smooth ascent, which can be used metaphorically.

tiny elevation

Replaces both "small" and "rise" with "tiny" and "elevation" respectively, intensifying the sense of minimal change or heightening.

insignificant uptick

Utilizes "uptick" to signify a slight upward trend, paired with "insignificant" to underscore its unimportance.

limited improvement

Replaces the concept of a 'rise' with that of 'improvement', suggesting an advancement that is capped or not extensive.

narrow advance

Uses "advance" instead of "rise", highlighting a forward movement that is limited in scope or magnitude.

minimal ascent

Substitutes "rise" with "ascent", indicating a climb or upward movement that is very small or slight.

FAQs

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

You can use "small rise" to describe a slight increase in various contexts. For instance, "There was a "small rise" in the unemployment rate last month" or "The company reported a "small rise" in profits this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "small rise"?

You can use alternatives like "slight increase", "minor increase", or "modest growth" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "small increase" or "small rise"?

Both "small increase" and "small rise" are acceptable and often interchangeable. The choice depends on the specific context and desired tone. "Increase" might sound slightly more formal than "rise".

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

"Small rise" indicates a minor increase, while "significant rise" suggests a substantial and noteworthy increase. The choice depends on the magnitude of the change you're describing.