small solace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small solace" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a minor comfort or consolation in a difficult situation. Example: "After the loss, he found small solace in the memories they shared together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

For City, would winning the Premier League be small solace?

The New York Times

The Alouettes, Montreal's C.F.L. squad, are small solace.

The New Yorker

The Ravens can take small solace in one thing.

The New York Times - Sports

But that is small solace for being laid off.

The New York Times - Health

But in the wake of carnage, they are small solace.

The New York Times - Arts

He said he knew this was "small solace" to the Petit family.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

There are other small solaces, not least in the quality of Claude's cellar, which he imbibes passively.

The Guardian - Books

More important, where we find connection, is the inner life of the characters, their struggles and their failings, their small solaces and their mistakes.

Los Angeles Times

But that offered little solace.

The New York Times

That is little solace to Mr. Sidiqi.

The New York Times

"I hope that the conclusion of these proceedings today will provide you with some small measure of solace," Judge Abraham G. Gerges told Ms. St. Guillen's relatives.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small solace" when you want to acknowledge a minimal amount of comfort in a difficult situation. It's effective in conveying empathy without overstating the positive aspect.

Common error

Avoid using "small solace" when the situation warrants a more significant expression of sympathy or support. Using it inappropriately can diminish the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small solace" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes something that provides a limited degree of comfort or consolation in a difficult or unfortunate situation, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small solace" is a useful expression to acknowledge limited comfort in challenging situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media. When writing, use "small solace" to express empathy while recognizing the constraints of the consolation. Alternatives like "little comfort" or "meager consolation" can be used to fine-tune the message. Be mindful to not overstate comfort when the situation merits more significant support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

little comfort

Emphasizes the limited degree of comfort provided.

meager consolation

Highlights the inadequacy of the consolation.

slight relief

Focuses on a minimal reduction of distress.

minor comfort

Directly indicates a small degree of comfort.

partial consolation

Suggests the consolation only addresses a portion of the distress.

modest relief

Implies the relief is limited in scope and impact.

limited solace

Highlights that the solace provided is restricted.

token comfort

Suggests the comfort is symbolic or superficial.

weak consolation

Focuses on the ineffectiveness of the consolation.

tiny bit of comfort

Emphasizes the insignificance of the comfort.

FAQs

How to use "small solace" in a sentence?

You can use "small solace" to indicate a minor source of comfort in a difficult situation. For example, "After the team lost the championship, they found "small solace" in the support of their fans."

What can I say instead of "small solace"?

You can use alternatives like "little comfort", "meager consolation", or "slight relief" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "small solace"?

"Small solace" is appropriate when acknowledging a minor positive aspect in an otherwise negative or difficult situation. It's often used to express empathy or understanding, while recognizing the limitations of the comfort provided.

What is the difference between "small solace" and "great comfort"?

"Small solace" implies a minimal amount of comfort, while "great comfort" suggests a significant degree of relief or consolation. The choice depends on the magnitude of the positive aspect you want to convey.