a small membership

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small membership" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a limited number of members in a group, organization, or club. Example: "The club has a small membership, which allows for more personalized attention and interaction among members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The party has a small membership, estimated to be about 10,000.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We don't have to set tee times because we have such a small membership.

The New York Times

wwoof.org provides contact details of over 200 French farms for a small membership fee.

The Guardian - Travel

There is usually a small membership charge but some, such as Sheffield's Access Space, are free.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is a small membership fee of £2.99-£12.99 a month, depending on how long you want to use the platform for.

The Guardian - Travel

For a small membership fee (15 euros in France, for example), you can tend goats in the Jura, fix stone walls in Provence or, as I did, grow vegetables south of Toulouse -- with lodging and meals completely free.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

They usually pay a small annual membership fee, and get an identification card that is accepted by a network of doctors, drugstores or other health care providers.

The New York Times

Talk story about an eminent-domain fight over Deepdale Golf Club on Long Island… Deepdale was founded in 1926 by William K. Vanderbilt II and was intended as "a golf club with a small, elect membership".

The New Yorker

Founded in 1926 by William K. Vanderbilt II and situated on a hundred and seventy-five acres of rolling hills, it was intended, an official history states, as "a golf club with a small, select membership, a place for weekday play when there was no time for the train ride out to Southampton and The National".

The New Yorker

Joining is easy, but requires a small annual membership fee.

TechCrunch

This is a sneaky way for companies to hook you with a small initial membership fee and then hit you over the head with a $300 per month bill.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an organization's size, use "a small membership" to accurately portray its limited number of members without sounding overly negative.

Common error

Don't exaggerate the importance or influence of an organization simply because it has "a small membership". Ensure your statements remain proportional to its actual scope and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small membership" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as a description or characteristic of an entity, indicating the size of a group. Ludwig AI validates that it follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

16%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

14%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small membership" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an organization or group with a limited number of members. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Wiki and Encyclopedias. While not exceedingly common, it effectively communicates the size of a group, influencing perceptions about its dynamics and capabilities. Related phrases, such as "a limited membership" or "a modest membership", offer slight variations in meaning, emphasizing different aspects of the group's size and exclusivity. When using this phrase, it's best practice to ensure that statements regarding the organization's significance remain proportional to its actual scope, avoiding overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a limited membership

Emphasizes the restricted nature of the membership.

a modest membership

Suggests the membership size is humble or unpretentious.

a reduced membership

Implies the membership size has decreased.

a select membership

Highlights the exclusivity or chosen nature of the members.

a tight-knit membership

Focuses on the close relationships among the members, rather than just the number.

a restricted roster

Uses 'roster' to denote a list of members, emphasizing limitations.

a compact association

Uses 'compact' to convey the small size and 'association' as the group.

a minor affiliation

Emphasizes the unimportance of the group due to its limited members.

a scant enrollment

Emphasizes that there are a few people registered in the group.

a fractional representation

Highlights the fact that the number of members is a little part of the whole.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small membership" to describe a group or organization with a limited number of members, such as "The club maintains "a small membership" to ensure personalized attention for each member".

What's a good alternative to saying "a small membership"?

Alternatives include "a limited membership", "a modest membership", or "a select membership", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "small membership" or "limited membership"?

Both "small membership" and "limited membership" are grammatically correct, but "limited membership" often implies a deliberate restriction on the number of members, whereas "small membership" simply describes the size. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.

What are the implications of "a small membership" for an organization?

"A small membership" can imply closer member relationships, easier management, or a more exclusive environment. However, it can also indicate limited resources, less diverse perspectives, or difficulty achieving large-scale goals.