the smallest issue

USAGE SUMMARY

"the smallest issue" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a minor problem or concern in a discussion or analysis. For example, "Even the smallest issue can lead to larger complications if not addressed." Alternative expressions include "the least significant problem" and "the tiniest concern."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"The smallest issue would balloon into a nightmare of a thousand e-mails," says Reno, who is now at Plumtree Software.

Forbes

I've walked into correctional facilities where the men and women are under constant stress; even the smallest issue will send them into a fit of rage.

Huffington Post

If your contact person is someone who goes hysterical at the smallest issue, they will quickly destroy what could be a long and productive relationship.

Huffington Post

So if you are in a relationship and you find yourself, as I did, pushing the eject button every time even the smallest issue arises, take it from me: the most important thing is not whether or not you fight; it's how you make it through the fight, as a couple, that makes your relationship a success or a failure.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And sometimes the smallest issues can be the worst.

The Guardian

Samsung +is mainly great for solving small problems, but even the smallest issues can keep some people from using their devices at all.

TechCrunch

This freedom begins from the smallest issues -- such as freedom of choosing what to wear -- and extends to higher-level social, political, and cultural levels.

Huffington Post

The visas are distributed under the three programs, only one of which is permanent (it also happens to be the smallest, issuing no more than 50 visas each year).

Vice

"The small issue is cussing," Ms. Ludgood said.

The New York Times

· Lastly, of course, there's the small issue of distance.

The Guardian

And then there was the small issue of my not playing particularly well with others.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with verbs like "arises", "balloons" or "ignites" to highlight how minor problems can sometimes lead to large-scale consequences.

Common error

Do not use "the most smallest issue". Since "smallest" is already a superlative adjective, adding "most" is redundant and grammatically incorrect. Stick to "the smallest issue" or "the most minor issue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the smallest issue" functions as a superlative noun phrase that acts as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to denote a singular problem of the absolute minimum magnitude within a given set.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the smallest issue" is a highly versatile and correct English expression used to describe minor problems with an emphasis on their minimal size. Based on Ludwig AI's analysis of authoritative sources, it is frequently employed in journalism to illustrate how small triggers can lead to large outcomes. It is grammatically robust and suitable for both professional and casual writing. When using it, ensure you do not use redundant superlatives like "most smallest". For a more formal tone, you may consider synonyms like "a minor discrepancy", but "the smallest issue" remains a powerful way to convey that no detail is too small to be overlooked.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor problem

Uses an indefinite article and a standard adjective, making it less emphatic than the superlative version

the slightest problem

Replaces smallest with slightest to emphasize the minimal impact or perceived presence of the issue

a trivial matter

Connotes that the issue is not only small but also unimportant or unworthy of serious attention

the tiniest detail

Shifts focus from the problem nature of an issue to its physical or technical scale

the least significant issue

A more formal and analytical way to rank the importance of a concern

a petty grievance

Specific to interpersonal or social contexts where the issue is seen as small and somewhat annoying

a small glitch

Often used in technical or procedural contexts to describe a minor, temporary failure

the narrowest point

Focuses on the specific scope of the issue rather than its general size

a nominal concern

Suggests the issue exists in name only or is too small to affect the outcome

a negligible difficulty

An academic or formal phrasing implying the issue can be safely ignored

FAQs

How do I use "the smallest issue" in a sentence?

You can use it to highlight a minor problem, for example: "In a high-pressure environment, even "the smallest issue" can cause a lot of stress."

What can I say instead of "the smallest issue"?

Depending on your tone, you might use "a minor problem", "the slightest glitch" or "a trivial matter".

Which is better, "the smallest issue" or "the smallest issues"?

It depends on whether you are referring to one specific problem or multiple minor ones. Use "the smallest issue" for a singular concern and "the smallest issues" when discussing several small problems collectively.

Is "the smallest issue" formal enough for a report?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable. However, in very technical or academic writing, you might prefer "a negligible discrepancy" or "a minor complication".