a small sample

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small sample" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a limited quantity or subset of a larger group or population, often in research or analysis contexts. Example: "In our study, we collected a small sample of participants to test the new drug's effectiveness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Twenty is a small sample.

The Guardian - Sport

Yes, it is a small sample.

The New York Times - Sports

That, too, is a small sample.

The New York Times - Sports

First up: generalisation from a small sample.

The Guardian

When would a small sample size be problematic?

The New York Times

"You'd only need a small sample," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

Such a small sample introduces a high margin of error.

The Guardian - Opinion

Here is a small sample of events and locations.

The New York Times

Here's a small sample of the discourse.

The New York Times

"It was just a small sample," Girardi said.

The New York Times - Sports

And this is only a small sample of the ideas I heard about.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small sample" in research, always acknowledge the limitations this imposes on the generalizability of your findings.

Common error

Avoid drawing broad conclusions from "a small sample". Ensure your claims are appropriately limited and reflect the sample size.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small sample" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as a subject or object in a sentence, referring to a limited quantity of something taken for analysis or consideration. Ludwig's examples show this phrase used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small sample" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to indicate a limited selection from a larger group. As shown by Ludwig, its usage spans across various domains, from news and media to scientific research. While the phrase itself is straightforward, it is important to acknowledge its limitations in research and analysis, avoiding overgeneralization. Depending on the context, alternatives such as "a limited subset" or "a tiny fraction" may offer more precise nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a limited subset

Focuses on the idea of the sample being part of a larger set, but restricted in size.

a tiny fraction

Emphasizes the minimal proportion of the sample relative to the whole.

a restricted selection

Highlights the constrained nature of the chosen items.

a miniature representation

Suggests the sample mirrors the larger entity but in a reduced scale.

a narrow segment

Implies the sample is a specific, limited portion of something broader.

a mere handful

Stresses the scarcity and small quantity of the sample.

a pilot group

Highlights the use of the sample for preliminary testing or investigation.

a token example

Indicates the sample is representative but not comprehensive.

a concise excerpt

Focuses on the brief and succinct nature of the selected material.

a reduced quantity

Highlights that the sample is characterized by being a lower amount of items.

FAQs

When is using "a small sample" acceptable in research?

Using "a small sample" is acceptable for exploratory studies, pilot projects, or when resources are limited. However, researchers must acknowledge the limited generalizability of findings and avoid making broad claims.

What are some limitations of using "a small sample" in a study?

Using "a small sample" can lead to lower statistical power, increased margin of error, and reduced generalizability of results. It may not accurately represent the larger population.

How does the size of "a small sample" affect the validity of research results?

The smaller the sample size, the more likely the results are influenced by chance or outliers, reducing the reliability and validity of the findings. A larger sample size generally provides more stable and accurate results.

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

You can use alternatives like "a limited subset", "a tiny fraction", or "a restricted selection" depending on the context.