a small edition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small edition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a limited or smaller version of a publication, such as a book, magazine, or other printed material. Example: "The author released a small edition of her novel, featuring exclusive illustrations and a new foreword."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The flatly factual journal (which Sabah has edited and published in a small edition), establishing Faÿ's connection to the Gestapo, proved to be even more damning than the polemical Sabah book.

The New Yorker

It is a small edition of Sannes, standing on just 1.2 hectares.

The New York Times

Case in point: Ms. Swinton's striking red cocktail dress (left), which proved so popular that it was produced in a small edition, and promptly sold out.

The New York Times

(This never happened; the closest Gysin got was a small edition of the "Dreamachine" produced by Carlo Levi, a publisher in Basel, Switzerland, in 1979).

The New York Times - Arts

But Latimer was interested in doing a small edition of Stevens's unpublished work, and Stevens replied to Latimer's offer that he would like nothing more.

The New Yorker

Last Sept. the well-known publisher Rene Julliard put out the child's "Poemes et Extraits de Lettres" in a small edition, not for sale.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The Tayacian industry of France and Israel is believed to be a smaller edition of the Clactonian.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One is a retrospective of the Brazilian-born New York artist Vik Muniz, 40, a smaller edition of which Mr. Stainback first put together for the International Center of Photography in 1998.

The New York Times - Arts

Although a smaller edition of his Dictionary became the standard household dictionary, Johnson's original Dictionary was an academic tool that examined how words were used, especially in literary works.

Wikipedia

But he pointed out that "The Man Who Loved Dogs," his Trotsky novel, was printed in a very small edition, with about two thousand copies allowed onto the Cuban market.

The New Yorker

Wagner's autobiography Mein Leben was originally published for close friends only in a very small edition (15 18 copies per volume) in four volumes between 1870 and 1880.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a deliberately restricted quantity of a publication, such as a book or journal, use "a small edition" to convey its exclusivity or limited availability.

Common error

Avoid using "a small edition" when you actually mean an abridged or shortened version of a work. "A small edition" refers to the quantity produced, not the content itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small edition" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a determiner phrase to modify a noun referring to a publication or product. It describes the limited quantity of that particular release, as seen in Ludwig's examples, where it modifies "book", "poems", or "Dreamachine".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

14%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small edition" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that refers to a limited quantity of a published work or item. It often implies exclusivity or scarcity. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase. While not extremely common, it is found in reputable sources such as The New York Times and Wikipedia. When using the phrase, ensure that you are referring to the quantity and not the content or format of the edition. Alternatives like "a limited printing" or "a limited release" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a limited printing

Focuses on the limited number of copies produced, similar to a small edition.

a short run

Emphasizes the brevity of the production period, implying a small quantity.

a limited release

Focuses on the restricted availability of the edition.

a miniature version

Highlights the reduced size of the edition, which may or may not relate to the quantity.

a concise issue

Stresses the brevity and succinctness of the publication.

a compact release

Indicates a smaller, more condensed version of something being made available.

a private printing

Emphasizes the non-commercial nature and limited distribution.

a special printing

Highlights the unique nature of the edition, which might imply a small quantity.

a numbered copy

Suggests a collectible item with a limited production run.

a sample edition

This relates to an edition that is distributed in a limited way for marketing purposes.

FAQs

What does "a small edition" refer to?

The term "a small edition" refers to a limited number of copies of a publication, such as a book, being produced. It implies that the item may be more exclusive or harder to find.

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

You might say, "The author released "a small edition" of his book to commemorate the anniversary."

What are some alternatives to "a small edition"?

Alternatives include "a limited printing", "a short run", or "a limited release", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "a small edition" and "a limited edition"?

While similar, "a limited edition" often implies that the item is also special or unique in some way, whereas "a small edition" simply refers to the quantity being limited.