smallest remark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smallest remark" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to refer to a very minor or trivial comment, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "Even the smallest remark can have a significant impact on someone's feelings."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's so annoying how much the smallest remark can stick with me all day.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They know which veterans are hurt; they absorb every small remark by an assistant coach and mentally pluck at it, like a daisy: He likes me, he likes me not.

The New York Times - Sports

Pinter's "Betrayal," with a similar time scheme, performed a kind of archeological dig into the temperamental makeup of its characters; moving backward, it found hints of the disastrous behavior of the present in small remarks and acts of long ago.

The New Yorker

Besides small remarks about systems previously quoted by other authors, new designs found in the literature are described.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

Uncovering this gem was a bit of work, but again small remarks steered me to the Mrs. and she exposed that Keys and Paul had known each other before this moment and had actually collaborated years earlier.

Huffington Post

But if it has been around two weeks and they still make small remarks, tell them to stop.

WikiHow

It would have been interesting to see more consideration of new technology, especially social networking, and how it has changed joke telling, increasing the speed of response and ensuring that a trace is left even by the smallest stray remark.

The New York Times - Books

For any δ>0 small, by Remark 3.6 (ii), ({v^{1}_{0}}, {v^{2}_{0}}) are uniformly continuous viscosity semisolutions of the following PDE: begin{array}rcl@ partial_{t} v + Gleft t, textbf{0}, v, partial_{x} v, partial^{2}_{xx} vright) =0,quad (t,x in D^{varepsilon,delta}_{1}. end{array}.

Probability, Uncertainty and Quantitative Risk

CLEVELAND ― Donald Trump's pronouncement last year that Mexico was sending criminals and rapists to the U.S. had a small positive remark at the end.

Huffington Post

Minor remarks.

Biology Direct

Even if they don't have a big debate, they may make small, insulting remarks.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smallest remark" when you want to emphasize how even a seemingly insignificant comment can have a disproportionate impact, either positive or negative.

Common error

Avoid using "smallest remark" too frequently in your writing, as it can sound repetitive. Opt for more common alternatives like "slightest comment" or "minor observation" to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smallest remark" functions as a noun phrase, where "smallest" is an adjective modifying the noun "remark". It typically acts as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig's AI notes this phrase isn't standard but acceptable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smallest remark" is a grammatically sound, though relatively uncommon, way to describe a minimal comment that can have a significant impact. As Ludwig's AI points out, while acceptable, it may not be the most standard expression. Consider alternatives like "slightest comment" or "minor observation" to avoid sounding repetitive. Using "smallest remark" effectively involves emphasizing the disproportionate impact of a seemingly insignificant statement. Be mindful of overuse and choose alternatives to maintain a natural writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightest comment

Focuses on the minimal nature of the comment.

minor observation

Highlights the insignificant nature of the observation.

trivial statement

Emphasizes the lack of importance in the statement.

passing comment

Indicates a brief and quickly forgotten comment.

inconsequential remark

Directly states that the remark is not important.

casual observation

Suggests an informal and relaxed remark.

negligible comment

Underscores that the comment is barely worth noticing.

brief utterance

Focuses on the short duration of the remark.

fleeting comment

Highlights the temporary and quick nature of the remark.

subtle observation

Highlights the understated nature of the observation.

FAQs

How can I use "smallest remark" in a sentence?

You can use "smallest remark" to emphasize the impact of a seemingly insignificant comment. For instance, "Even the "smallest remark" can have a significant impact on someone's feelings."

What can I say instead of "smallest remark"?

You can use alternatives like "slightest comment", "minor observation", or "trivial statement" depending on the context.

Is "smallest remark" a common phrase in English?

While grammatically correct, "smallest remark" is not as common as other similar phrases. It's best used when you specifically want to highlight the minimal nature of a comment and its potential impact.

What is the difference between "smallest remark" and "slightest comment"?

"Smallest remark" emphasizes the size or insignificance of the remark, while "slightest comment" focuses on the subtlety or minimal nature of the comment. The choice depends on which aspect you want to emphasize.