such a small thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "such a small thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is minor or insignificant in the context of a larger situation or issue. Example: "I know it seems like such a small thing, but it really made a difference in my day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Such a small thing.

The New York Times

Such a small thing, and yet..

The Guardian - Travel

Does such a small thing really matter?

The New York Times - Books

It seems like such a small thing now.

The New York Times

A decent hearing aid is such a small thing.

The Guardian - Opinion

The word "authorized" coming out of such a small thing gives Dhoorre a jolt.

The New Yorker

Teaching English, it turns out, is not such a small thing after all.

The New York Times

To put the mosque at a respectful distance from ground zero seems such a small thing for them to ask.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

There is no such thing as a small thing in this big world.

Los Angeles Times

It can be a small thing, such as peeling an orange for a person you love because you know they don't like doing it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"One student medic comes almost every day, while we help out with conditions such as nettle stings: its a small thing, but they [migrants] are afraid and it helps them to relax," Volkov said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "such a small thing" to downplay an action or event that might seem unimportant on the surface but has a significant impact.

Common error

Avoid using "such a small thing" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such a small thing" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes something as being of little significance but often with an implication of unexpected impact, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

13%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "such a small thing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase employed to describe something seemingly insignificant that has a surprising impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki contexts, indicating its versatile and neutral register. To avoid repetition, consider using alternatives like "a minor detail" or "a trivial matter". Remember to use it strategically to emphasize the contrast between apparent size and actual consequence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small matter

Omits "such" for brevity.

a minor detail

A more concise alternative.

an insignificant detail

Uses a synonym to emphasize lack of importance.

a trivial detail

Focuses on the lack of importance of the detail.

a seemingly minor matter

Emphasizes the appearance of insignificance more explicitly.

a detail of little consequence

Expands on the idea of lack of importance.

a negligible issue

Highlights the lack of impact or consequence.

a petty issue

Implies the issue is not only small but also irritating.

something minimal

Uses an adjective to directly express the smallness.

a trifling matter

Uses more formal language to indicate unimportance.

FAQs

How can I use "such a small thing" in a sentence?

You can use "such a small thing" to emphasize the unexpected impact or importance of something seemingly minor, like: "It seems like "such a small thing", but it made a big difference."

What can I say instead of "such a small thing"?

You can use alternatives like "a minor detail", "an insignificant detail", or "a trivial matter" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "so a small thing" instead of "such a small thing"?

While "so" can sometimes replace "such", in this particular construction, "such a small thing" is the grammatically correct and idiomatic choice. "So a small thing" is not standard English.

What's the difference between "such a small thing" and "a small thing"?

Adding "such" emphasizes the unexpected or surprising nature of the impact of the small thing. "A small thing" is a simple statement of size, while ""such a small thing"" implies disproportionate influence or effect.