a small rate

USAGE SUMMARY

'a small rate' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has a lower or lesser amount or degree than something else. For example, "The company offered him a job at a small rate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A small rate increase would be a victory for savers.

The Economist

Cosmic expansion is happening on a microscopic level, as you surmise, but at such a small rate that you would never notice it.

Cornell University

"The current low rate means that many who are just able to meet their repayments now will soon be swamped by even a small rate rise.

The Guardian - Money

In a speech Friday morning, Richmond Fed President Jeffrey Lacker argued that the economy is strong enough to withstand a small rate increase by the Fed.

The Washington Post

A small rate hike would indicate the economy is thriving and strong, but some worry that lifting rates too early will damage individuals' spending ability and hamper growth.

Independent

This lead to a small rate increase due to faster extension on the acceptor, suggesting re-initiation of synthesis on the tested RNA acceptors was not rate limiting.

Journal of Molecular Biology

July 23 , 20149.43am BST The minutes also show that some Bank of England policymakers pondered whether to experiment with a small rate rise now, just to see how people reacted.

The Guardian - Business

Utility regulators in Connecticut made some small changes yesterday to conditions of the proposed merger of Northeast Utilities and Consolidated Edison Under the terms of the merger, Connecticut customers would see a small rate reduction.

The New York Times

The account will give villagers access to a pool of money that can be borrowed – at a small rate of interest – to expand or develop business ideas, and provide a crucial safety net when problems arise.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Therefore, with a small rating, it may have a high impact on the controllability of the power flow, which is one of its main advantages [1].

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

A smaller rate reduction posed a risk of moving too slowly if the economy was indeed in danger of stalling.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing changes or increments, use "a small rate" to indicate a gradual or minimal adjustment. For example, "The interest rate increased at a small rate over the quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "a small rate" when a more specific term is needed, such as "small percentage" or "slight amount", depending on the context you need to be precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small rate" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "rate". Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and used in written English to denote a limited quantity or degree. Examples in Ludwig show its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

57%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small rate" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe a quantity that is considered low or gradual. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely employed across different domains, including news, science, and academia. When choosing between alternatives like "low rate" and "small rate", context matters: "low rate" indicates overall magnitude, while "a small rate" often emphasizes a gradual change over time. When writing, be sure to specify the unit of measure whenever possible for increased clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minimal rate

Emphasizes the rate is as low as possible.

a slight rate

Indicates a rate that is barely perceptible or noticeable.

a modest rate

Suggests the rate is moderate and not excessive.

a marginal rate

Implies the rate is at the very edge or boundary.

a negligible rate

Highlights that the rate is so small it can be disregarded.

a diminutive rate

Emphasizes the smallness of the rate in a more formal tone.

a reduced rate

Focuses on the fact that the rate has been lowered.

a lower rate

Simply states the rate is less than some other rate.

a trickle

Uses a metaphor to suggest the rate is very slow and gradual.

a snail's pace

Uses a metaphor to suggest the rate is very slow.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small rate" to describe a slow or gradual change, such as "The population increased at "a small rate"." It can also be used in financial contexts to refer to interest or inflation.

What's the difference between "a small rate" and "a low rate"?

"A low rate" generally indicates the overall magnitude of a rate. "A small rate", in contrast, often emphasizes the change or increment of a rate over time. However, these phrases can often be used interchangeably depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "a small rate" to describe something increasing slowly?

Alternatives to "a small rate" include "a gradual increase", "a modest rise", or "a slight uptick". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a small rate" in formal writing?

While "a small rate" is grammatically correct, consider whether a more precise term like "a minor rate" or "a marginal rate" might be more suitable in formal or technical writing. The appropriateness depends on the desired level of specificity and the context of use.