a seemingly tiny

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a seemingly tiny" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears small or insignificant at first glance, but may have more importance or impact than it seems. Example: "The seemingly tiny seed eventually grew into a massive tree that provided shade for the entire park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But Mr. Gatson never failed to ask for, and scrutinize, a seemingly tiny detail: the bevel, one heel tucked against the opposite ankle.

The New York Times - Arts

All of this is possible apparently thanks to a seemingly tiny update Facebook pushed yesterday to their iPhone app.

TechCrunch

A seemingly tiny sum of a mistake was about to cost them a fortune.

Huffington Post

It's an optical illusion which disappears immediately once you shift your perspective, similar to holiday snaps of someone holding the Eiffel Tower between their fingers, looking down on the leaning tower of Pisa, or stepping over a seemingly tiny Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

One of its ideas is that seemingly tiny events can have big impacts, so that a beating of a butterfly's wing could lead to a hurricane on the other side of the world.

The Guardian - Business

Her posts focus on seemingly tiny, insignificant things where she finds a moment of joy.

Huffington Post

Seemingly tiny changes in economics could make animal farming a lot less affordable.

Forbes

Several icebreakers had tried and failed to break a path to our ship, the Akademik Shokalskiy, but seeing the endless field of compressed ice from above, and the seemingly tiny Shokalskiy embedded within it, brought the situation into a whole new focus.

The Guardian

This amount, seemingly tiny, is no small thing for the desperate.

The New York Times - Magazine

Scientists had found cancer cells in the blood of patients with seemingly tiny, localized cancers, suggesting that cancer cells could spread silently early in the course of disease.

The New York Times

The slightly larger but still seemingly tiny lead that the president held in Ohio, another swing state, led poll analysts to predict that the chance of an Obama victory in Ohio was around 90 percent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a seemingly tiny" to introduce an element that initially appears unimportant but is later revealed to have a significant effect or consequence.

Common error

Avoid using "a seemingly tiny" to describe something that is genuinely insignificant and remains so throughout the context. Ensure the element's true impact warrants the initial underestimation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a seemingly tiny" functions as a pre-modifier in a noun phrase. It describes a noun by indicating that it appears small or insignificant but might possess a greater importance or impact than initially perceived. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a seemingly tiny" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe something that appears small or insignificant at first but may hold greater importance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not exceedingly common, it finds its place in various contexts, particularly news and media, as well as scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure you highlight the contrast between initial appearance and the element's true impact. Consider alternatives like "an apparently insignificant" or "a deceptively small" to best fit the intended nuance. The key is to prepare the reader for a shift in perspective regarding the size or importance of the subject being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a seemingly insignificant

Directly replaces 'tiny' with 'insignificant'.

an apparently insignificant

Directly replaces 'seemingly' with 'apparently'.

a deceptively small

Focuses on the misleading nature of the size.

a superficially small

Emphasizes that the smallness is only on the surface.

an apparently minuscule

Replaces 'seemingly tiny' with a stronger adjective emphasizing smallness.

a seemingly trivial

Highlights the lack of importance or seriousness.

a superficially insignificant

Highlights the apparent lack of importance.

a seemingly negligible

Emphasizes the perceived lack of consequence.

an ostensibly small

Uses a more formal word for 'seemingly'.

a purportedly insignificant

Suggests the insignificance is claimed but possibly untrue.

FAQs

How can I use "a seemingly tiny" in a sentence?

Use "a seemingly tiny" to describe something that appears small or insignificant but has a greater impact or importance than initially perceived. For instance, "a seemingly tiny error led to a significant financial loss".

What are some alternatives to "a seemingly tiny"?

Alternatives include "an apparently insignificant", "a deceptively small", or "a superficially insignificant", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "a seemingly tiny" and "a seemingly small"?

While both phrases describe something that appears small, "a seemingly tiny" emphasizes the diminutive size, while "a seemingly small" is a more general description of size. The choice depends on the specific context and the degree of smallness you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a seemingly tiny" in formal writing?

Yes, "a seemingly tiny" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a descriptive phrase used to highlight the contrast between appearance and reality. Just ensure its usage aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your writing.