a small opportunity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small opportunity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor chance or possibility for something to happen or be achieved. Example: "Even though it was just a small opportunity, I decided to take it and see where it would lead me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

I had a small opportunity and I missed it".

The New York Times - Sports

This is a very small amount of capital, which creates the assumption of a small opportunity in which an investor might not have much interest.

The New York Times

In addition, the market that this business is going after is students, which means school budgets, which in my mind translates to a small opportunity.

The New York Times

"One has only a small opportunity in life to do things like this," Mr. Goldsmith said in an interview earlier this year.

The New York Times

"Who knows, there may be a small opportunity for me to tart that up a little bit in the spirit of the occasion".

The Guardian - Music

Although West Coast was only ever a small opportunity for Stagecoach - we previously estimated the franchise was worth 27p per share to it if won via its joint venture with Virgin - a second chance to compete for the franchise is a small positive.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The less skilled face a smaller opportunity cost for their leisure.

The Economist

"It's a pretty small opportunity right now".

The New York Times

"We wouldn’t be spending our time on it if we thought it was a very small opportunity".

Forbes

On my way back home, I was given a tiny, small opportunity to do just that.

Huffington Post

We suspect that reversions are very rare, since the virus is only passaged once which should give a relatively small opportunity for such mutations to arise.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an opportunity, consider whether "small" accurately reflects its scope or impact. If the opportunity's brevity or infrequency is more relevant, consider using "fleeting" or "rare" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "a small opportunity" when a more significant or impactful opportunity is actually present. Misrepresenting the scale of an opportunity can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small opportunity" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a chance or possibility that is limited in scope or potential. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small opportunity" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a limited chance or possibility. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests alternative phrases like "a modest opportunity" or "a limited opportunity" to add nuance. While versatile, it's important to ensure that the phrase accurately reflects the scale of the opportunity to avoid misleading your audience. Its register is neutral, allowing for use in various formal and informal contexts, particularly in news and scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a modest opportunity

Replaces "small" with "modest", indicating a limited but decent chance.

a slight opportunity

Uses "slight" instead of "small", emphasizing the minimal nature of the chance.

a limited opportunity

Substitutes "small" with "limited", focusing on the restricted scope of the opportunity.

a narrow opportunity

Employs "narrow" to suggest the opportunity is confined or specific.

a tiny opportunity

Replaces "small" with "tiny" to emphasize the insignificance of the opportunity.

a little opportunity

Uses "little" in place of "small", conveying a similar sense of insignificance.

a slim opportunity

Uses "slim" in place of "small", implying a low probability.

a minor opportunity

Replaces "small" with "minor", suggesting the opportunity is of lesser importance.

a reduced opportunity

Specifies that the opportunity has been lessened or decreased.

a rare opportunity

Indicates the infrequency of the opportunity instead of its size.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small opportunity" to describe a minor chance or possibility. For example, "I saw "a small opportunity" to improve the process and took it."

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

You can use alternatives like "a slight chance", "a modest opportunity", or "a limited opportunity" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a small opportunity" instead of "a big opportunity"?

Use "a small opportunity" when the chance is limited in scope, impact, or duration. If the opportunity is substantial and has significant potential, "a big opportunity" would be more fitting.

Is there a difference between "a small opportunity" and "a window of opportunity"?

Yes, "a window of opportunity" implies a limited timeframe in which the opportunity is available, whereas "a small opportunity" refers to the magnitude or potential of the opportunity itself.