a mere sliver

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere sliver" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very small or insignificant portion of something. Example: "The report revealed that the company's profits were only a mere sliver of what they had projected for the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The amount for the fund is a mere sliver of the overall $1.043 trillion federal discretionary budget for next year.

The New York Times

I want a thin, elegant slice, a mere sliver of sponge to nibble with a cup of herb tea.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Actually, it's a mere sliver of his total hoard; he has selected 50 of his strangest, rarest acquisitions for our meeting.

The Guardian

Residents often lack money for upgrades, and a state program that subsidizes reinforcements has reached a mere sliver of the homes that need it.

The Washington Post

Still, Barrett produces only 300 million cubic feet of gas a day, a mere sliver of Shell's United States production of 1.7 billion cubic feet.

The New York Times

By contrast, the baby galaxies were readily isolated in "a mere sliver of space," he said, indicating that "the sky must be teeming with these little things".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

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Vice

Its tiny screen could show only part of a Web page; its punctuation keys were mere slivers; and it offered only a single e-mail account for each machine.

The New York Times - Tech

Mr. Granger uses a nonstick pan and the merest sliver of butter (a quarter ounce), a pinch or two of salt, no water and half a cup of cream with two eggs.

The New York Times - Food

The shortfalls stemmed from supporting enormous books of now-troubled mortgages on mere slivers of capital.

The New York Times

Something about the question had confused the computer, and its answers came with mere slivers of confidence.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mere sliver" to effectively downplay the significance or size of something, particularly when contrasting it with a larger whole. For instance, "The budget allocated to education was a mere sliver compared to military spending."

Common error

Avoid using "a mere sliver" excessively in highly formal or technical writing where a more precise quantitative description might be more appropriate. While acceptable, overuse can reduce the overall impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere sliver" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to quantify and emphasize the smallness or insignificance of something relative to a larger whole. Ludwig indicates this usage is correct and commonly employed across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mere sliver" is a descriptive phrase used to emphasize the insignificance or smallness of something relative to a larger whole. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best to reserve its use for situations where you wish to downplay an amount or highlight a disparity. Alternatives like ""a tiny fraction"" or ""a small portion"" can provide similar emphasis. Be mindful of overuse in highly formal or technical writing to maintain a clear and impactful tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny fraction

Emphasizes the smallness of the portion relative to the whole.

a small portion

A more general term indicating a limited quantity.

an insignificant amount

Highlights the lack of importance or impact of the quantity.

a negligible quantity

Stresses that the amount is so small it can be disregarded.

a drop in the bucket

An idiomatic expression conveying extreme insignificance.

a grain of sand

Emphasizes the minuteness of something compared to a larger entity.

a mere speck

Highlights that something is tiny and barely noticeable.

a trivial part

Focuses on the unimportance of the element.

a slim margin

Indicates a narrow difference or advantage.

a modicum

Suggests a very small or limited amount.

FAQs

How can I use "a mere sliver" in a sentence?

You can use "a mere sliver" to describe a small or insignificant portion of something. For example, "The funding for the project was "a mere sliver" of the total budget."

What phrases are similar to "a mere sliver"?

Similar phrases include "a tiny fraction", "a small portion", or "an insignificant amount". These all convey the idea of something being small relative to a larger whole.

Is "a mere sliver" appropriate for formal writing?

While "a mere sliver" is generally acceptable, it may be more suitable for news articles or less formal contexts. In highly formal or scientific writing, consider using more precise quantitative terms.

What does "a mere sliver" emphasize?

"A mere sliver" emphasizes the smallness and insignificance of something in comparison to something larger. It is often used to highlight a disparity or to downplay the importance of the smaller portion.