a small question

USAGE SUMMARY

"a small question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are asking a small (and easy) question. For example: "Do you have a minute to answer a small question?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It's either a big question or it's a small question.

Cornell University

"If you ask a small question," he said, "you get a small answer".

The New York Times

A theory, however strongly you believe in it, inherently holds a small question mark.

The New York Times - Books

Time to put another fag on, though this does rather put a small question mark alongside Dan Clayton's cigars tactic.

The Guardian - Sport

To begin with a small question that I trust is not a trivial or a petty one: how often have you met a self-described Kerry supporter?

The New York Times - Books

"They're not going to be ringing me up to ask me a small question that they can get from the master tax guide.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

So perhaps we should start with a smaller question.

The Guardian - Books

A second small question now.

Yale University

Geneticists and researchers get trapped in looking at a very small question; they can have blinders on.

The New York Times

On Monday, I e-mailed Semente's owner, Ms. Brufato, with a few small questions I needed answered for this article.

The New York Times - Travel

Even in a relatively small question-and-answer webcast, Palm CFO Andy Brown dodges questions like they were eggs thrown at Steve Ballmer.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When posing "a small question", ensure it is clearly defined and focused to elicit a precise and relevant answer. This avoids ambiguity and ensures effective communication.

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary complexity or jargon when asking "a small question". Stick to straightforward language to ensure clarity and prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small question" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It serves to identify a question that is considered minor, easy, or simple. As confirmed by Ludwig, the expression is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

30%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small question" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase. According to Ludwig, it serves to introduce a simple, minor, or easily answered inquiry across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While not strictly formal, its use in professional settings is still acceptable. The phrase’s prevalence is supported by numerous examples, suggesting its broad applicability in both spoken and written communication. Furthermore, alternatives like "a simple question" or "a quick question" offer subtle variations in meaning, accommodating different nuances in the communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor question

Replaces 'small' with 'minor', suggesting a question of little importance.

a simple question

Substitutes 'small' with 'simple', emphasizing the ease of understanding or answering the question.

an easy question

Replaces 'small' with 'easy', focusing on the lack of difficulty in answering.

a basic question

Uses 'basic' instead of 'small', implying the question is fundamental or elementary.

a trivial question

Replaces 'small' with 'trivial', indicating the question is insignificant or unimportant.

a light question

Uses 'light' instead of 'small', suggesting the question is not serious or burdensome.

a quick question

Substitutes 'small' with 'quick', focusing on the brevity of the question or the time it takes to answer.

a short question

Replaces 'small' with 'short', emphasizing the limited length or complexity of the question.

a brief question

Uses 'brief' instead of 'small', implying the question is concise and to the point.

a negligible question

Replaces 'small' with 'negligible', indicating the question has little or no consequence.

FAQs

How do I use "a small question" in a sentence?

You can use "a small question" to introduce an inquiry that is simple or of little importance, such as "Do you have time to answer "a small question" about the project?"

What's the difference between "a small question" and "a simple question"?

While both phrases suggest an easy inquiry, ""a small question"" implies the question is brief or minor, whereas "a simple question" focuses on the ease of understanding the question itself.

Which is better, "a small question" or "a minor question"?

Both are acceptable. "A small question" is more common and general, while "a minor question" emphasizes the insignificance of the query.

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

You can use alternatives like "a quick question", "a brief question", or "a simple question" depending on the context.