a small favor

USAGE SUMMARY

"a small favor" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when asking someone for a relatively minor and brief task. For example, "Could you do me a small favor and pick up some chips at the store?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

"You owe me a small favor.

The New Yorker

That hostility is but a small favor to the taxpayers.

Harvard University

"Could you do me a small favor?" "Of course".

The New Yorker

On January 4 , 2001 Sebald writes to ask a small favor.

The New Yorker

"There's a small favor we'd like to ask of you," I said.

The New Yorker

Better offline, of course, than misfiring — that, too, is a small favor.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Give each girl a party bag of small favor as they go.

WikiHow

Asked whether Mr. Netanyahu should acquiesce to Mr. Obama's demands or risk American sanctions, a small majority favored acquiescing.

The New York Times

On our visual affective ToM task, there was even a small effect favoring the performance of patients.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

During the first 6 months, we observed a small difference favoring the large articulations, but the larger head size may not have been the cause.

Acta Orthopaedica

In the backstages of the city's ballparks, which run on a barter economy of small favors and easy smiles, scores of people who didn't know what else to call him were part of his everyday life for decades.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking for "a small favor", be specific and clear about what you need. This helps the other person understand the request quickly and decide whether they can assist.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a small favor" as something extremely significant or urgent when it's not. This can create unnecessary pressure and make people less willing to help.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small favor" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb when requesting something. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it used in sentences like, "Could you do me a small favor?"

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small favor" is a common and grammatically sound way to ask for minor assistance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It's suitable for various contexts, from news articles to academic papers, although it leans towards a neutral to slightly informal register. When using this phrase, it's best to be clear about the request and avoid exaggerating its importance. Consider alternatives like "a little favor" or "a minor request" to fine-tune the tone and emphasis. Be mindful of common errors like misrepresenting the favor's size or urgency, as this can negatively impact the recipient's willingness to help.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little favor

Replaces "small" with "little", indicating a minor change in the perceived size of the request.

a quick favor

Emphasizes the speed and brevity of the favor being asked.

a minor request

Substitutes "favor" with "request" emphasizing the act of asking for something.

a small service

Replaces "favor" with "service", focusing on the act of assistance provided.

a simple request

Highlights the ease and straightforwardness of the requested action.

a slight service

Replaces "favor" with "service" highlighting the action of providing help.

a little assistance

Substitutes both "small" and "favor" to emphasize the act of helping in a minor way.

a tiny kindness

Emphasizes the benevolent aspect of the favor, using "kindness" instead of "favor".

a small courtesy

Focuses on the politeness and consideration implied in the request.

a trivial matter

Indicates the insignificance of the task being asked for, using "matter" instead of "favor".

FAQs

How can I politely ask for "a small favor"?

You can start by acknowledging their time and being clear about the request. For example, "I was wondering if you could do "a little favor" for me?"

What's the difference between "a small favor" and "a big favor"?

"A small favor" implies a task that requires minimal effort or time, while "a big favor" suggests a more significant undertaking.

When is it appropriate to ask for "a small favor"?

It's appropriate when you need a quick, easy task completed that doesn't impose significantly on someone's time or resources.

What can I say instead of "a small favor"?

Alternatives include /s/a+minor+request , /s/a+quick+help or a /s/a+simple+service depending on the context.