a small information

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small information" is not correct in English.
The word "information" is an uncountable noun, so it should not be preceded by "a small." Example: "I need some information about the project timeline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

There is also a small information booth at the Frontier Culture Museum.

The New York Times - Travel

And a small information screen at the top of the dashboard washed out badly in direct sunlight.

The New York Times

As the president of a small information technology research and consulting company facing the ongoing challenges of today's economy, I need to keep things in perspective".

The New York Times

The aim is to demolish the BBC as a widely loved universal broadcaster: Rupert Murdoch wants it shrunk to a small information channel few would subscribe to.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mark Hoover, the agency's first deputy commissioner, then asks Maximus to give Mr. Kearney a consulting job in New York, to be paid through a small, information technology-related contract, a Maximus official recalled.

The New York Times

There is a small information office 2.6km outside the town of Perusic, which marks the entrance to the Grabovaca Cave Park, with a rough trail then leading a further 2km through a flat meadow and up a short steep hillside to the cave entrance.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

For a day job, Mr. Najarian does administrative office work for a division of The New York Times Company; Ms. Miller does similar work for a small information-technology company in Maplewood.

The New York Times

The Flash memory which is made up of a large main memory and a smaller information memory provides in-system programmability that permits flexible code changes and for remote systems that are battery operated, field upgrades.

Analog and Digital Circuits for Electronic Control System Applications Using the TI MSP430 Microcontroller

The headquarters and a visitor center are in Cody, Wyoming and a smaller information center is in Lander, Wyoming.

Wikipedia

One significant result of meetings with media and technology companies was the creation of an incubator for small information technology companies in the Hudson Square area of Manhattan.

The New York Times

It offers photography exhibits, a small bookstore, information about New Orleans architecture and historic neighborhoods, and brochures about walking tours.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to information, remember that it's an uncountable noun. Instead of "a small information", use "a little information" or "some information".

Common error

Avoid using "a small" before the word "information". "Information" is an uncountable noun and doesn't take the article "a". Prefer using "a little information" or restructuring your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small information" functions as a noun phrase, but is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights that "information" is an uncountable noun and should not be preceded by the article "a". The examples in Ludwig demonstrate common contexts where information is discussed, despite the grammatical error.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "a small information" appears with some frequency across various sources, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, "information" is an uncountable noun. Correct alternatives include "a little information" or "some information". Usage contexts range from news and media to scientific publications, but the grammatical error undermines its appropriateness in formal writing. Remember to use correct grammar to avoid miscommunication, even if the phrase is frequently used. Be aware that while a phrase can be frequently used, it might not mean that it's grammatically correct. The best approach is to prefer other options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little information

Replaces "small" with "little", both indicating a limited quantity; "information" remains the same.

a minor detail

Substitutes "information" with "detail", which implies a specific piece of information that is not significant.

a slight piece of information

Adds "piece of" to make "information" countable and replaces "small" with "slight", indicating a minimal amount.

a brief note

Replaces "information" with "note", referring to a short piece of written information, and replaces "small" with "brief", indicating its concise nature.

a limited data set

Changes "information" to "data set", emphasizing the collection of data and indicating that it is restricted in size.

a restricted disclosure

Substitutes "information" with "disclosure", implying revealed data, while "restricted" suggests limited access or scope.

a concise report

Changes "information" to "report", denoting a summary of information and replaces "small" with "concise", indicating brevity.

a summary insight

Replaces "information" with "insight", signifying a deeper understanding, and uses "summary" to suggest a condensed version.

a short briefing

Substitutes "information" with "briefing", referring to a concise informational session or document, and "small" with "short", indicating its duration or length.

a fractional account

Changes "information" to "account", implying a description or report, and replaces "small" with "fractional", suggesting only a part of the whole.

FAQs

Why is "a small information" grammatically incorrect?

The term "a small information" is incorrect because "information" is an uncountable noun. You should use phrases like "some information" or "a little information" instead.

What are some alternatives to "a small information"?

You can use alternatives like "a little information", "some information", or "a minor detail" depending on the context.

How can I correctly use the word "information" in a sentence?

Always remember that "information" is uncountable. Use quantifiers like "much", "little", or "some" before it. For example, "I need some information" is correct, while "I need an information" is not.

What is the difference between "a small information" and "a piece of information"?

"A small information" is grammatically incorrect. The correct way to express a limited amount of information is to use "a piece of information" or "a little information".