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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
the smallest error
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "the smallest error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing precision, accuracy, or minor mistakes in various contexts, such as mathematics, science, or writing. Example: "Even the smallest error in the calculations can lead to significant discrepancies in the final results."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(19)
the merest inaccuracy
the slightest error
a trivial error
a negligible inaccuracy
a negligible mistake
the slightest chance
the slightest idea
the slightest objection
the slightest hope
the slightest difference
the slightest slip
the slightest difficulty
hardly any prospect
a minimal prospect
a remote possibility
a slim hope
next to no chance
a snowball's chance in hell
a faint glimmer of hope
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
He spins away in disgust at the smallest error, only to snap around immediately to watch the game again.
News & Media
"If you make the smallest error then you will slide straight into the gravel before you know it".
News & Media
Therefore, cell A has the smallest error.
Model 3 showed the smallest error (16%) in the air velocity estimated in the treatment plane.
Adjusting threshold values, the AP searches the threshold value that yields the smallest error probabilities.
Ten-fold cross-validation is adopted to select the smallest error as the training set.
The image pair with the smallest error was chosen to be compared with other approaches.
The smallest error was seen in the distal part of the stem of the tibial component.
The WSF error is calculated for every combination and the smallest error combination is kept.
Of the proximal plate, the posterior area had the smallest error.
The forecast obtained using the top 5 sequences provides the smallest error among the ensembles.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When aiming for precision in technical writing, use "the smallest error" to underscore the criticality of even minor deviations.
Common error
Avoid exaggerating the consequences of "the smallest error" in contexts where minor deviations are tolerable. Overemphasis can undermine credibility.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "the smallest error" functions as a noun phrase, where "smallest" modifies "error". It is used to identify a minimal deviation or mistake in a specific context. Examples from Ludwig highlight its use in scientific and technical fields.
Frequent in
Science
75%
News & Media
15%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "the smallest error" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to emphasize the importance of accuracy and precision, especially in technical and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous examples across diverse fields. While alternatives like "the tiniest mistake" or "the slightest inaccuracy" exist, "the smallest error" maintains a formal and precise tone, particularly suitable for academic or professional settings. Use it to underscore the significance of even minor deviations in situations demanding high accuracy.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
The tiniest mistake
Emphasizes the insignificant size of the error.
The slightest inaccuracy
Focuses on the lack of precision rather than the error itself.
The most minor fault
Highlights the flaw's insignificance.
The merest slip-up
Indicates a casual and easily overlooked error.
The negligible mistake
Highlights that the mistake is so small it can be disregarded.
The inconsequential error
Stresses the lack of importance or impact of the error.
The most subtle error
Indicates an error that is hard to detect.
The least significant error
Emphasizes the low level of importance of the error.
The bare minimum error
Focuses on the fact that the error can't be reduced any further.
The acceptable error margin
Shifts focus to the fact that the error is within acceptable limits.
FAQs
How can I use "the smallest error" in a sentence?
You can use "the smallest error" to emphasize the importance of precision. For instance: "Even "the smallest error" in the calculation can lead to significant discrepancies."
What phrases are similar to "the smallest error"?
Similar phrases include "the tiniest mistake", "the slightest inaccuracy", or "the most minor fault". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.
Is it always necessary to correct "the smallest error"?
Not always. Whether to correct "the smallest error" depends on the context. In some situations, such as scientific research, even minor errors can have significant consequences and must be addressed. In other contexts, such as casual conversation, such corrections may be unnecessary.
What's the difference between "the smallest error" and "an acceptable error margin"?
"The smallest error" refers to the minimal possible deviation, while "an acceptable error margin" indicates a range of errors that are considered tolerable for a given application. The first focuses on minimization, the second focuses on a threshold.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested