a small fee

USAGE SUMMARY

"a small fee" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a nominal cost for a service or item. For example, "The shop charges a small fee for wrapping presents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Shea pays the man a small fee.

The New York Times

I employed her for a small fee.

The Guardian - Tech

Direct Star gets a small fee.

The New York Times

"We charge member museums a small fee".

The New York Times - Arts

Downloads are available for a small fee.

Stanford University

Each SlideRoom submission incurs a small fee.

Princeton University

The shopkeeper will charge a small fee for the service.

The Economist

Each shopkeeper would earn a small fee from each transaction.

The New York Times

(Figment charges a small fee to publishers for the privilege).

The New York Times - Books

Other services are available for a small fee.

The New York Times - Tech

Both charge a small fee to start service.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a mandatory, but relatively insignificant, cost for a service or access, "a small fee" is appropriate. For example, "There's a small fee to access the premium features of the app."

Common error

While "a small fee" is common, avoid overuse in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "nominal charge" or "modest payment" to keep the text engaging and avoid repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small fee" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "fee" is the noun and "small" is an adjective modifying it. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing a minor charge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

22%

Wiki

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Science

9%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small fee" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a minor charge for a product, service, or transaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and business settings. When using "a small fee", consider synonyms like "nominal charge" or "modest payment" to avoid repetition. While the phrase itself is quite versatile, it is important to ensure its use accurately reflects the cost being described. The phrase sees frequent usage in "News & Media", "Academia" and "Wiki"

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a nominal charge

Replaces "fee" with "charge" and "small" with "nominal", indicating a very low cost.

a modest payment

Substitutes "fee" with "payment" and "small" with "modest", suggesting a reasonable cost.

a minor expense

Uses "expense" instead of "fee", highlighting the cost aspect, while "minor" conveys the small amount.

a minimal cost

Replaces "fee" with "cost" and "small" with "minimal", emphasizing the low price.

a slight surcharge

Employs "surcharge" instead of "fee", indicating an additional charge, and "slight" for the small amount.

a token amount

Uses "token amount" to suggest the fee is symbolic and not substantial.

a negligible sum

Replaces "fee" with "sum" and "small" with "negligible", indicating the amount is so small it's almost insignificant.

a trifling payment

Substitutes "fee" with "payment" and "small" with "trifling", conveying the insignificance of the cost.

a petty charge

Uses "petty charge" to imply the fee is insignificant or of little importance.

a reasonable rate

Replaces "small fee" with "reasonable rate", indicating the cost is fair and justifiable.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small fee" to describe a minimal cost for a service or product. For example, "The website charges "a small fee" for premium subscriptions".

What are some alternatives to "a small fee"?

Some alternatives to "a small fee" include "a nominal charge", "a modest payment", or "a minimal cost".

When is it appropriate to use "a small fee"?

It's appropriate to use "a small fee" when referring to a relatively low or minor charge for a service, product, or access to something. It implies the cost is not substantial.

Is there a difference between "a small fee" and "a large fee"?

Yes, "a small fee" indicates a minimal cost, while "a large fee" implies a significant or substantial expense. The choice depends on the actual amount being charged.