a glimpse of small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a glimpse of small" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe a brief view or insight into something minor or insignificant, but the wording is awkward and unclear. Example: "While exploring the garden, I caught a glimpse of small creatures darting between the leaves."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It provided a timeline of the fish's trip from the depths of the same Lake Willoughby to my front door, offering a glimpse of small town life.

The New York Times

High-throughput sequencing of small RNA libraries from four cucurbit species has provided a glimpse of small RNA component in their transcriptomes.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Even to catch a glimpse of this small (8cm) but speedy tropical invertebrate is thrilling.

The Guardian - Travel

And that's just the start of a film that establishes such a mood of doomy anticipation that no one who watches it can ever again negotiate the narrow, labyrinthine streets of La Serenissima without wondering if they'll catch a glimpse of a small figure in a red raincoat flitting over a shadowy bridge.

The Guardian - Film

Travel to New England and get a glimpse of its small town charm and great seafood.

Huffington Post

Kareena Kapoor Khan's video is a glimpse of a small group of people trying to change the world's mindset around women and female authority in both the home and workplace.

Huffington Post

I recall leaving the latter, during which he washed my dirty underwear, treating it as if it was the most precious thing he ever handled, feeling both exhilarated and fragile as if he had not just caught a glimpse of my smalls but also my soul.

The Guardian

The present study provides an important glimpse of small RNA abundance and diversity in rice.

BMC Plant Biology

We want to win every game," he said, flexing his cuffs and giving a rare smile, just enough to give a glimpse of his surprisingly small teeth.

The Guardian - Sport

Inside, beyond the zinc and frosted glass concierge desk, black leather Barcelona-style chairs sit in front of a window that offers a glimpse of a very small yet serene Japanese garden.

The New York Times

Now, however, scientists have tracked two pygmy killer whales for the first time in the Hawaiian Islands, giving researchers a glimpse of where these small cetaceans hang out.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reframe your sentence using alternatives like “a glimpse of something minor” or “a glimpse at the smaller details” for improved clarity.

Common error

Avoid directly combining "glimpse" with "small" as it creates an unnatural and vague expression. Instead, clarify what the glimpse is of and specify that the thing being viewed is small.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a glimpse of small" functions as a noun phrase aiming to describe a brief or incomplete view. However, according to Ludwig, the phrasing is considered incorrect, suggesting a need for revision to achieve clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a glimpse of small" attempts to describe a brief or partial view of something insignificant, but Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect and awkward. While examples exist across various sources, particularly in News & Media and Science, clarity is compromised. For improved communication, consider alternatives like "a glimpse of something minor" or rephrasing to specify the subject being viewed (e.g., "a glimpse of small details"). Remember to focus on grammatical correctness and precision to achieve effective expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small glimpse

Reverses the order of the words, but carries the same meaning, despite being more common in reverse order.

a brief look at something minor

Replaces 'glimpse' with 'brief look' and 'small' with 'minor' for clarity.

a quick peek at something small

Substitutes 'glimpse' with 'quick peek', emphasizing the brevity of the view.

a fleeting view of something tiny

Uses 'fleeting view' instead of 'glimpse' and 'tiny' instead of 'small' to convey a transient visual impression.

a partial insight into something insignificant

Changes 'glimpse' to 'partial insight' and 'small' to 'insignificant', focusing on understanding rather than visual perception.

a passing impression of something slight

Replaces 'glimpse' with 'passing impression' and 'small' with 'slight', highlighting the lack of detail.

a hint of something diminutive

Employs 'hint' instead of 'glimpse' and 'diminutive' instead of 'small' to express a subtle indication.

a touch of something negligible

Substitutes 'glimpse' with 'touch' and 'small' with 'negligible' to suggest minimal impact.

an initial understanding of trivial matters

Rephrases to indicate a beginning comprehension of unimportant subjects.

a fragment of observation about minimal things

Changes the structure to emphasize a small piece of observation related to minimal items.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a glimpse of small" to improve clarity?

Consider using phrases like "a glimpse of something minor", "a glimpse at the smaller details", or "a brief look at something insignificant" depending on your intended meaning.

Is "a glimpse of small" grammatically correct?

Ludwig AI identifies the phrase "a glimpse of small" as not grammatically correct and somewhat awkward. It's better to use a clearer and more descriptive alternative.

What does "a glimpse of small" try to convey?

The phrase attempts to express a brief or partial view of something minor. However, its vagueness requires rephrasing for effective communication. Options include phrases like "a small glimpse" or "a brief look at something minor".

Which is more effective, "a glimpse of small" or "a glimpse of something minor"?

"A glimpse of something minor" is more effective as it is grammatically correct and clearly conveys the idea of seeing or understanding a less important aspect.