some small consolation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "some small consolation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when acknowledging that something provides a minor relief or comfort in a disappointing or unfortunate situation. Example: "Although we lost the game, the fact that we played well together was some small consolation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

There's "some small consolation" in this, for some of us.

The Economist

And fourth, some small consolation: A lot of people still voted.

The Washington Post

Some small consolation there, then, for the 15,000 care workers employed by Allied.

The Guardian

And amid all the gloom about the scale and cost of the damage in Germany, there was some small consolation.

Independent

What heroes the book has do not subvert the system, they merely carve some small consolation within it.

The New York Times - Books

EMPLOYMENT-RELATED LOSSES People who lost jobs last year may also find some small consolation at tax time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Ten minutes after I lost, I scratched the other ticket and won a free ticket — a small consolation and one more chance to win some money.

The New Yorker

Ten minutes after I lost, I scratched the other ticket and won a free ticket a small consolation and one more chance to win some money.

The New Yorker

Though some moments of Mr. Bartlett's standup comedy are not bad, they are small consolation.

The New York Times

Small consolation.

The New York Times

There is one small consolation.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "some small consolation" to acknowledge a positive aspect of an otherwise unfavorable situation. It softens the blow and offers a bit of encouragement.

Common error

Avoid using "some small consolation" when the positive aspect is significant or outweighs the negative. The phrase is meant for truly minor comfort, not a major benefit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some small consolation" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a source of minor comfort or relief in an otherwise negative situation. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to acknowledge positive aspects within disappointing contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "some small consolation" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to acknowledge a minor source of comfort in an otherwise disappointing or negative situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While it's important not to overstate the consolation, using the phrase effectively can offer a balanced perspective and soften the impact of unfavorable circumstances. Alternatives like "a slight comfort" or "a minor solace" can be used to vary the expression while maintaining the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight comfort

Replaces "consolation" with "comfort", emphasizing the ease provided by the consolation.

a little bit of comfort

Replaces "some small" with "a little bit of", maintaining the diminutive nature of the consolation.

a minor solace

Substitutes "consolation" with "solace", highlighting the alleviation of distress.

a touch of comfort

Replaces the adjectives "some" and "small" with "a touch", providing a lighter connotation.

a grain of comfort

Replaces "some small consolation" with "a grain of comfort", implying a very small amount of reassurance.

a mere comfort

Replaces "some small" with "a mere", diminishing the degree of consolation.

a modicum of relief

Replaces "some small consolation" with "a modicum of relief", offering a slightly more formal tone.

a faint glimmer of hope

Focuses on the hopeful aspect of consolation, rather than the consolation itself.

a shadow of hope

Emphasizes the uncertainty and weakness of the consolation.

a silver lining

Metaphorically describes the consolation as a positive aspect within a negative situation.

FAQs

How can I use "some small consolation" in a sentence?

Use "some small consolation" to acknowledge a minor positive aspect in an otherwise disappointing situation. For example, "Although we lost the game, the fact that we played well together was "some small consolation"".

What can I say instead of "some small consolation"?

You can use alternatives like "a slight comfort", "a minor solace", or "a little bit of comfort" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a small consolation" instead of "some small consolation"?

Yes, "a small consolation" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning. Both phrases indicate a minor source of comfort or relief, but ""some small consolation"" might slightly emphasize the acknowledgment of that comfort.

What's the difference between "some small consolation" and "silver lining"?

"Some small consolation" acknowledges a minor comfort in a negative situation, while "silver lining" refers to a more significant positive aspect that can be found within a difficult circumstance. Silver lining implies a more optimistic outlook.