with small distinctions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with small distinctions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing subtle differences or variations between items, concepts, or ideas. Example: "The two paintings are similar, but they differ with small distinctions in color and brushwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

And Sandra Day O'Connor concurred with the majority but drew a series of small distinctions that preserved her ability to change her mind in a future case.

The New York Times - Magazine

Like electronics, most products and services are becoming commoditized with small, incremental distinctions.

Forbes

For the Amish, seemingly small distinctions in clothing are filled with religious meaning.

The New York Times

There were some small distinctions.

The Guardian - Business

These are not small distinctions.

Forbes

It goes to show, small distinctions can make a big difference.

TechCrunch

But these small distinctions completely disappear within the lodge.

Vice

With this seemingly small distinction, Airbnb successfully evolved from a technology company that reverse-engineered cross-listings on Craigslist into a lifestyle brand, rooted in people.

The Guardian

Hillary Clinton has offered mild criticism of the fracking boom that has spread across the US under Barack Obama's presidency, drawing another small distinction with his administration.

The Guardian

Several teammates say he is the hardest-working player on the team, no small distinction with a coach, Preki, who last year cut the high-profile Amado Guevara for lack of effort.

The New York Times - Sports

German Nazi-sympathetic highbrow thought had some small distinction.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "with small distinctions", ensure the context clearly establishes what items or concepts are being compared. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "with small distinctions" when the differences are actually substantial. This phrase is best suited for minor, subtle variations, not major deviations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with small distinctions" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding detail to a comparison by specifying the degree of difference between items. It suggests that while there are differences, they are not substantial.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"With small distinctions" is a phrase used to highlight minor differences between items or concepts. Grammatically correct, it serves as an adverbial modifier to emphasize subtlety in comparisons. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase follows standard grammar rules. While the phrase is not very common, it appears in diverse contexts like News & Media and Science. For situations where the differences are indeed minor, it's more fitting than alternatives emphasizing significant differences. It is often replaceable with "with slight differences" or "with minor variations" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with slight differences

Replaces "small distinctions" with "slight differences", emphasizing the minor nature of the variations.

with minor variations

Substitutes "small distinctions" with "minor variations", highlighting the presence of slight variations.

with subtle nuances

Replaces "small distinctions" with "subtle nuances", focusing on the delicate and refined differences.

with fine gradations

Changes "small distinctions" to "fine gradations", stressing the gradual changes or differences.

with delicate variations

Replaces "small distinctions" with "delicate variations", emphasizing the fragile or subtle nature of the differences.

with tiny differences

Replaces "small distinctions" with "tiny differences", emphasizing the minimal scale of differences.

with marginal differences

Changes "small distinctions" to "marginal differences", indicating the differences are barely noticeable.

with minute differences

Substitutes "small distinctions" with "minute differences", underscoring the extremely small scale of the differences.

with insignificant variations

Replaces "small distinctions" with "insignificant variations", emphasizing that the variations are not important.

with negligible distinctions

Changes "small distinctions" to "negligible distinctions", conveying that the distinctions are so small they can be ignored.

FAQs

How can I use "with small distinctions" in a sentence?

Use "with small distinctions" to highlight minor differences between similar items or concepts. For example, "The two models are similar, but they differ "with small distinctions" in their processing speed".

What are some alternatives to "with small distinctions"?

Alternatives include "with slight differences", "with minor variations", or "with subtle nuances", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "with small distinctions" in formal writing?

Yes, "with small distinctions" is suitable for formal writing when you need to emphasize that differences are subtle and not major. The level of formality does not change significantly using alternatives like "with minor variations".

What is the difference between "with small distinctions" and "with significant differences"?

"With small distinctions" indicates that the differences are minor and subtle, while "with significant differences" suggests that the variations are substantial and important. Use each phrase based on the actual degree of difference.