to a small extent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to a small extent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a limited degree or amount of something. Example: "The new policy has improved employee satisfaction, but only to a small extent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Logistical changes by some importers are reducing their carbon footprint to a small extent.

The Guardian

The fact is that there is integration only to a small extent".

The New Yorker

To a small extent, the military has begun to do that.

The New York Times

The focus was only to a "small extent" on investment banks.

The Guardian - Business

Now we're faced with one chance in Sydney to redeem ourselves to a small extent".

The Guardian - Sport

Our energy balance is determined only to a small extent by how active we are.

Independent

Naturally a perennial, it is grown to a small extent in temperate climates as an annual.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Otherwise, canoes and, to a small extent, dhows transport people and goods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All these orchestras rely on donations and, to a small extent, government grants.

The New York Times - Arts

Real anti-Semitism still does exist in places like Hungary and to a small extent France.

Independent

We instinctively mimic, even to a small extent, the mood, manners, yawns and actions of the people around us.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to a small extent", ensure the context clarifies what is being limited. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides a clearer understanding of the degree of impact or influence.

Common error

Avoid using "to a small extent" when the impact is negligible or non-existent. Ensure there is at least some discernible effect to justify the use of this phrase; otherwise, it can mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to a small extent" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree or scope to which something is true or effective. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English for expressing a limited effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to a small extent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a limited degree or impact. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. While interchangeable with alternatives like "to a limited degree" or "slightly", it's crucial to use it accurately, avoiding overstatements. It shows nuanced perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to a limited degree

Replaces "extent" with "degree", slightly altering the phrasing while maintaining the core meaning of limitation.

to a minor degree

Substitutes "small" with "minor", emphasizing the insignificance of the extent.

slightly

A simpler adverb that indicates a small amount or degree.

to some extent

Removes the adjective "small," suggesting an unspecified but possibly limited degree.

somewhat

A single-word alternative that conveys a similar sense of partial or limited effect.

minimally

Emphasizes how it is at a minimal extent, replaced "small" with "minimal".

to a certain degree

Uses 'certain' instead of 'small', and the phrase implies that the degree isn't that high.

not much

An informal way of expressing a small degree or quantity.

barely

Suggests the lower limit of what degree is, indicating something happening by a narrow margin.

hardly

Indicates that something is almost not happening or existing.

FAQs

How can I use "to a small extent" in a sentence?

Use "to a small extent" to indicate that something is true or has an effect only in a limited way. For example, "The new regulations have improved air quality, but only to a small extent".

What are some alternatives to "to a small extent"?

You can use alternatives like "to a limited degree", "slightly", or "somewhat" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "to a small extent" or "to a large extent"?

The choice between "to a small extent" and "to a large extent" depends entirely on the degree to which something is true or has an effect. Use the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the impact.

What's the difference between "to a small extent" and "to some extent"?

"To a small extent" emphasizes that the degree or impact is limited. "To some extent" simply indicates that there is a degree of truth or impact, without specifying whether it is large or small. The former is more precise, the latter is more generic.