the difference is small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the difference is small" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that a difference in two things or topics is minimal or insignificant. For example, "Although there are some differences in their approaches to the problem, the difference is small."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although significantly different, the magnitude of the difference is small and does not offer a particular advantage over hippocampal volume.

Brain Topography

Thus, lower blood concentrations seem to correspond to slightly higher slope, although the difference is small and not statistically different (p > 0.05).

Environmental Health Perspectives

The difference is small.

The New York Times - Sports

The difference is small, and statistically insignificant.

The New York Times

The difference is small enough that the results could be called a statistical dead heat.

The New York Times

Only in jobs is there more optimism now, and the difference is small.

The New York Times

The difference is small but decisive; it is most of what we mean by humanism.

The New Yorker

A more recent study, which examined market reaction to unexpected outcomes in Presidential elections, suggests that investors do expect returns to be slightly greater under Republican administrations, but, again, the difference is small.

The New Yorker

However, for both cases, the difference is small (Figure 7).

Geochemical Transactions

If the difference is small, we return the output.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

However, the difference is small and completely acceptable for Cloud management.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the difference is small" to acknowledge a distinction while downplaying its importance. This is useful when you want to focus on similarities or overall trends rather than minor variations.

Common error

Avoid using "the difference is small" when the difference is actually significant. Always ensure your assessment accurately reflects the data or situation to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the difference is small" functions as a qualifying statement. It acknowledges a distinction but immediately downplays its significance. Ludwig shows many examples in scientific and news articles where subtle comparisons are made.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the difference is small" is a common and grammatically correct way to downplay a distinction, found frequently in science and news media. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable for use in writing. Its purpose is to minimize the significance of a contrast and focus on overarching similarities. Related phrases include "the distinction is negligible" and "the variation is minimal". When using this phrase, ensure the asserted smallness is accurate, and avoid overstating the case. It's important to remember the impact of small differences can still add up in specific context, thus you may need to consider "however", "nonetheless", or "despite" in your copy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the distinction is negligible

This suggests the difference is so small it can be disregarded.

the variation is minimal

Focuses on the slight amount of change or deviation.

the margin is narrow

Implies the space or degree separating two things is limited.

the gap is insignificant

Highlights that the space between two points is not important.

there's barely any difference

Emphasizes the lack of notable dissimilarity.

the disparity is trivial

Indicates the inequality or difference is unimportant.

the contrast is subtle

Suggests the difference is delicate and not immediately obvious.

it's hardly different

Highlights that something is nearly the same.

the degree of difference is slight

Stresses the small extent of the variation.

the impact of the difference is limited

Focuses on the restricted influence or effect of the divergence.

FAQs

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

You can use "the difference is small" to indicate that two things are mostly similar. For example, "While there are variations in the datasets, "the difference is small"".

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

Alternatives include phrases like "the distinction is negligible", "the variation is minimal", or "the margin is narrow", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "the difference is small" in formal writing?

Yes, "the difference is small" is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure that the claim is supported by evidence or data. Consider more precise language if exact measurements are crucial.

What's the difference between "the difference is small" and "the difference is insignificant"?

While both phrases indicate a minor distinction, "the difference is insignificant" suggests the distinction is essentially irrelevant, whereas "the difference is small" simply implies it's of a limited magnitude.