smallest suggestion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smallest suggestion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a minimal or slight piece of advice or recommendation. Example: "Even the smallest suggestion can lead to significant improvements in our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

She even sleeps in the same bed as him sometimes, without the smallest suggestion that this is, to use that well-known non-judgmental term, inappropriate.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

For almost two hours during this show, part of Sade's first American tour in a decade, Ms. Adu led a master class in minimal exertion, a study in how to wring huge effect out of the smallest suggestions.

The New York Times - Arts

As you tackle the budget, here is one small suggestion.

The New York Times

A rep might offer a small suggestion: "Jerry's too harsh in this scene".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Now, while we're on about business types being on the panel, I have a small suggestion to make.

Independent

There was, however, one small suggestion of cheer, in indications that Henry's handball had achieved what home rule, the Good Friday agreement and Jedward could not: fostering a sense of fellow feeling between old enemies Ireland and England.

The Guardian - Sport

But one small suggestion (by G Blakemore Evans) which I find helpful regarding Sonnet 13, is that the word "self" in the opening line may have originally had an apostrophe, ie, "O! that you were your self's".

The Guardian - Books

A small suggestion of her dancerly gifts came with a brief section, set to a song in Arabic, of languorous curling movements that might have been based on the shapes made by the tangle of string beside her.

The New York Times - Arts

I had one small suggestion, which I will implement the next time I teach (and for that class, I will generally continue to have the laptops closed): I will require my students to read some of the studies I've alluded to in this post, to help them understand why I'm doing what I'm doing and to get them to think critically about the use of technology in their lives and their education.

The New Yorker

A small suggestion: improve call quality in New York City.

TechCrunch

Bill Maher has a small suggestion for the ever-silent Justice Thomas.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "smallest suggestion" with verbs like 'offer', 'make', or 'provide' to clearly indicate the act of giving advice or input.

Common error

Avoid using "smallest suggestion" when a more substantial recommendation is actually intended. Overstating the minimal nature can undermine the importance of the advice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smallest suggestion" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "smallest" modifies the noun "suggestion". It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, indicating a very minor piece of advice or recommendation. As Ludwig AI explains, it denotes something minimal.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smallest suggestion" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, though it appears relatively infrequently in written English. According to Ludwig, it's correct and is used to describe a minimal piece of advice or recommendation. Contextually, it is most often found in news and media, science, and formal/business settings. Alternatives such as "slightest suggestion" or "minimal suggestion" offer similar meanings, while still emphasizing the limited significance. When employing this phrase, remember to use it where a minor input could potentially open avenues. If the recommendation is actually substantial, avoid to understate the impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightest suggestion

Emphasizes the extremely minimal nature of the suggestion.

minimal suggestion

Focuses on the bare minimum of what is being suggested.

slight hint

Indicates a subtle and indirect indication or clue.

minor recommendation

Replaces suggestion with the more formal term recommendation and highlights its insignificance.

faintest idea

Shifts the focus to an initial thought or concept, implying it's just the beginning of an idea.

smallest piece of advice

Breaks down "suggestion" into a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the advisory nature and its diminutive size.

slightest piece of advice

Breaks down "suggestion" into a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the advisory nature and its subtlety.

subtle suggestion

Focuses on the indirect and understated nature of the suggestion.

smallest proposal

Replaces suggestion with a more formal term proposal and highlights its insignificance.

minor adjustment

Focuses on the action of making a slight change.

FAQs

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

You can use "smallest suggestion" to indicate that even a minor piece of advice or recommendation can be valuable. For example, "Even the "smallest suggestion" can lead to significant improvements in our project."

What are some alternatives to "smallest suggestion"?

Alternatives include "slightest suggestion", "minimal suggestion", or "slight hint", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "smallest suggestion" in formal writing?

Yes, "smallest suggestion" is appropriate for formal writing when you want to emphasize that even a minor recommendation can have a positive impact. However, consider alternatives like "minor recommendation" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "smallest suggestion" and "minor suggestion"?

"Smallest suggestion" emphasizes the minimal nature of the advice, while "minor suggestion" simply indicates that the advice is not of great importance. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the size or the significance of the suggestion.