the difference is minimal

USAGE SUMMARY

"the difference is minimal" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or insignificant difference between two things. Example: "After comparing the two products, she realized that the difference between them was minimal. In the end, she decided to choose the cheaper option."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The difference is minimal when you're talking about a $3 billion industry.

The New York Times - Sports

I stayed while it was still Mint, but the difference is minimal: the décor for the hotel's 553 rooms (including 48 suites) is unchanged, according to a spokesman, as are the staff uniforms from the designer Ronald Kolk.

The New York Times - Travel

There appears to be more midrange publications on the topic of cancer since the values of items in journals with SJR>1 are mostly larger than for all scientific output, but the difference is minimal.

Plosone

While the mean distance is slightly higher among the younger voters, the difference is minimal.

Electoral Studies

Although the length of stay is typically skewed, commissioners and providers prefer to report the mean length of stay and with large sample sizes the difference is minimal.

Age and Ageing

If all genes are included, then the difference is minimal (mean CAI = 0.4768 for dsDNA phages and 0.4743 for ssDNA phages, excluding the 22 dsDNA phages with phage-encoded tRNA genes) and not statistically significant.

Genetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Fredericks may have started fractionally better but the difference was minimal and almost immediately it was utterly irrelevant.

The Guardian - Sport

The difference was minimal, just 0.1percentt, but it was no less a watershed: 40 years ago, ITV had twice as many viewers as the BBC.

The New York Times - Arts

In some weight categories, cars hit by other cars showed a lower death rate than cars hit by S.U.V.'s, but the difference was minimal, Mr. Nolan said.

The New York Times

Albeit the difference was minimal, it reinforces the finding of an improved oxygenation reported in the acute phase.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Additionally, expression of the flocculent phenotype appears to negatively affect ethanol production, with both recombinant strains producing less ethanol than the wild-type when incubated at 30°C; but the difference was minimal when the yeast were grown at 42°C (Figure 5B).

AMB Express

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing options or data, use "the difference is minimal" to concisely convey that variations are so slight they are unlikely to influence a decision.

Common error

Avoid using "the difference is minimal" when the variations are actually significant. Ensure that your comparison accurately reflects the magnitude of the difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the difference is minimal" functions as a statement of comparison, asserting that the dissimilarity between two or more items is of little significance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, supporting its role in conveying a small degree of variation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the difference is minimal" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote slight or insignificant variations between items. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable across various contexts, predominantly appearing in scientific and news media. When seeking alternative expressions, consider variations such as "the variation is slight" or "the disparity is negligible" to convey a similar meaning. Be mindful of overstating or understating the magnitude of the variations to maintain accuracy in communication. Overall, this phrase offers a concise way to express a minimal degree of difference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the variation is slight

Focuses on the degree of variation between items, highlighting its subtlety.

the disparity is negligible

Emphasizes the insignificance of the disparity, suggesting it's not worth considering.

the distinction is minor

Highlights that while a distinction exists, it's not of great importance.

the contrast is subtle

Focuses on the subtlety of the contrast, making it hard to perceive or detect.

there's little to distinguish them

Highlights the difficulty in finding clear differences, suggesting they are almost identical.

the margin is slim

Emphasizes that any existing margin or difference is very narrow or small.

they're virtually identical

Indicates an almost perfect match, with any existing differences being immaterial.

the equivalence is near complete

Stresses the high degree of similarity, implying that the few remaining differences are unimportant.

the levels are nearly equal

Highlights the near equality of numerical or measurable levels or values.

the degree of divergence is insignificant

Emphasizes the insignificance of the divergence from an expected point, suggesting it has little practical consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "the difference is minimal" in a sentence?

Use "the difference is minimal" to indicate that a comparison between two or more things results in only very small or insignificant variations. For example, "Although the two products have different names, the difference is minimal".

What does "the difference is minimal" mean?

The phrase "the difference is minimal" means that there is a slight distinction between two or more things, but it is so small that it's practically negligible or unimportant.

What are some alternatives to "the difference is minimal"?

You can use alternatives like "the variation is slight", "the disparity is negligible", or "the distinction is minor" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "the difference is minimal"?

It's appropriate to use "the difference is minimal" when comparing items, data, or results, and the variations are so small that they do not meaningfully affect the outcome or decision-making process.