a small experiment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small experiment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a minor or limited test or trial conducted to investigate a hypothesis or gather data. Example: "We decided to conduct a small experiment to see if the new fertilizer would improve plant growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Well, I'm planning a small experiment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He asked permission to conduct a small experiment at the vet school.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nearly a hundred thousand people have signed a petition to prevent even a small experiment there.

The New Yorker

I once did a small experiment with a group of medical students.

The New York Times

What began as a small experiment expanded into the history of art in the entire Western world.

The New Yorker

Doyle explained how a small experiment might proceed; Oxitec made its case; then the floor was opened to the public.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

All it took was a small experiment--with two cars and two measuring devices, and a few hundred miles of driving--initiated by the Berlin office of ICCT, a respected international NGO.

Huffington Post

In a smaller experiment involving 20 subjects, the company found that using its device lowered the body's response to stress by 50percentt, as measured by the electrical properties of skin.

MIT Technology Review

So I set up a smaller experiment within my no-makeup challenge -- I have been exerting the same amount of confidence that I generally would with makeup, but this time, without any makeup.

Huffington Post

We are a very small experiment," he said.

The Guardian

Of course, this is a very small experiment.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small experiment" to highlight a focused effort aimed at answering a specific question, making it clear that the study's goals are achievable within limited resources.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the importance of results from "a small experiment". Clearly indicate the limitations of your findings and avoid generalizing them to broader contexts without further validation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small experiment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI indicates its usability in written English, signifying its proper grammatical structure. It describes a limited or preliminary investigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

27%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small experiment" is a common noun phrase used to describe a limited or preliminary test or investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use across various contexts, from academic and scientific writing to news and media. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When using this phrase, it's important to avoid overstating the impact of the results and to clearly indicate the limitations of the findings. Alternatives such as "a limited trial" or "a minor study" can be used to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a limited trial

Emphasizes the restricted scope or duration of the experiment.

a minor study

Highlights the less significant nature of the investigative work.

a pilot project

Suggests that the experiment is a preliminary venture before a larger rollout.

a brief test

Focuses on the short duration of the experiment.

a preliminary investigation

Implies that the experiment is an initial step in a more comprehensive inquiry.

a scaled-down experiment

Highlights the reduced scale compared to a full-sized experiment.

a micro experiment

Focuses on the extremely small scale of the experimental setup.

a concise study

Emphasizes brevity and succinctness in the research approach.

a focused test

Highlights that the experiment is very targeted on a specific outcome.

an elementary experiment

Indicates that the experiment is basic or fundamental in nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small experiment" to describe a limited test or trial. For example, "We conducted "a small experiment" to determine the optimal temperature for plant growth".

What are some alternatives to "a small experiment"?

Alternatives include "a limited trial", "a minor study", or "a pilot project", depending on the context.

Is "a small experiment" formal or informal?

"A small experiment" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal academic writing, consider using more precise terms like "preliminary study".

What's the difference between "a small experiment" and "a large experiment"?

"A small experiment" implies a limited scope and resources, whereas "a large experiment" suggests a more comprehensive and resource-intensive study. Choose the term that accurately reflects the scale of your investigation.