a small duration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small duration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief period of time in various contexts, such as events, activities, or experiences. Example: "The meeting lasted for a small duration, allowing everyone to return to their tasks quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

However, with very small value of λ, the algorithm becomes insensitive to some attacks having a small duration or a moderate intensity.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

If a node establishes number of connections and disconnections in very short time span, it is very likely that a node comes in contact with other nodes for a small duration.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Within a small duration, Δ, vehicles belonging to class i either move to zone 0 with probability Δ E [ T 1, i ], or remain in zone 1 with probability 1 - Δ E [ T 1, i ].

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Step II: active PU - If W>W min, assign W=W−W min to reduce the possibility of missing spectrum holes with a small duration; if W≤W min, assign W=W min. Step III: inactive PU - Assign W=W max to enhance the probability of detecting the coming PU.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The statistics required are as follows 1) a small duration of time (∼50 ms) in which contrast changes do not exceed that of the upcoming target, therefore providing an unadapted 'off' phase.

Plosone

However, this misclassification is unlikely to be important given that such a small duration of therapy would be unlikely to change the risk of cancer.

Diabetes Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Maximum time delay and less pulse broadening can be obtained by optimizing the shape of the super-Gaussian shaped pulses; the maximum time delay and corresponding gain increase with a decrease of injected energy, and larger relative delay can be obtained by a smaller duration pulse.

Optics Communications

Length of T cell responses in all compartments would increase with the increase in time periods between successive vaccinations and then drop to zero in about 60 to 100 days after the last vaccination for all four cases with a smaller duration of response for longer time between successive immunizations.

BMC Systems Biology

"I'm a big believer, in most of these programs, that the fund should be a very small duration," Mr. Feinberg said in a phone interview.

The New York Times

Lamarck objected that the few thousand years that had elapsed since the Egyptian cat was embalmed represented "an infinitely small duration" relative to the vastness of time.

The New Yorker

However, the repetitive observations of the same XTEM specimen after a series of sequential small duration of ion milling allow us to observe different areas with MWCNT network embedded in the SiN matrix.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small duration", ensure the context clearly defines what is being measured and its relevance to the subject matter. Providing specific units of time (e.g., seconds, minutes) can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid overstating the impact of something occurring during "a small duration" without sufficient evidence. Clearly articulate how this brief period influences the overall outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small duration" functions as a noun phrase, acting as an adverbial modifier that describes the extent of an action or state. Ludwig AI validates this usage, confirming that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

14%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small duration" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a brief period. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, the frequency analysis indicates it's not as common as simpler alternatives like "a short time". Its usage leans towards scientific and formal contexts, as seen across examples from scientific journals and news articles. Remember to ensure clarity by quantifying the timeframe and avoiding overstated claims about its impact. Consider using alternatives like "a brief period" or "a limited time frame" depending on the desired nuance and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief span of time

Replaces "duration" with "span of time" and "small" with "brief" for a slightly more descriptive feel.

a short period

Uses "period" instead of "duration", making it sound less formal.

a limited time frame

Substitutes "duration" with "time frame" and "small" with "limited" to suggest a restricted timeframe.

a concise interval

Employs "concise" and "interval" to imply a brief and well-defined timeframe.

a fleeting moment

Uses more evocative language to describe a very short time.

a quick burst

Describes something happening very rapidly.

a narrow window of time

Suggests a brief opportunity or timeframe.

a momentary lapse

Implies a very short break or pause.

a fractional measure of time

A more technical and precise alternative, suitable for scientific contexts.

a swift passage

Evokes the idea of time passing quickly.

FAQs

How can I use "a small duration" in a sentence?

You can use "a small duration" to describe an event, activity, or experience that lasts for a short period of time. For example, "The experiment involved exposing the sample to heat for "a small duration" to observe its reaction".

What are some alternatives to "a small duration"?

Some alternatives to "a small duration" include "a brief period", "a short time", or "a limited time frame", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a short duration" or "a small duration"?

Both "a short duration" and "a small duration" are acceptable. "Short" often emphasizes the length of time, while "small" emphasizes the relative insignificance of the time. The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Can "a small duration" be used in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "a small duration" can be used in both formal and informal writing. However, in more formal contexts, you might consider using alternatives such as "a limited time frame" or "a concise interval" for a more sophisticated tone.