a small time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a brief period or duration, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "I only need a small time to finish this task before we can move on to the next one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Singh's father was a small time farmer and had a small land holding.

Stanford University

Even when we receive [fresh supplies], they are depleted in a small time".

The Guardian

So, imagine a small time – call it dt – passes, so t becomes t + dt.

The Guardian

Making a small time investment here provides huge dividends, in both strategy and team development.

Huffington Post

Follow NInole Clark on Twitter.

Vice

Charles Manson was a small time criminal he did petty theft.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Such spatial distance may lead to a small time-displacement of the coregistration.

Annals of Neurology

Minna is a small-time Brooklyn gangster.

The Economist

"I'm a small-time collector," he said.

The New York Times

His father was a small-time barber.

The Guardian

That's quite an achievement for a small-time thug".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "a small time" with more specific terms like "a few minutes" or "a short while" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a small time" without providing context or a more specific timeframe. Readers may misinterpret the intended duration if it's not clearly defined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small time" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the noun (time) by indicating a short or insignificant duration. As seen in Ludwig, it can refer to short durations, like needing "a small time" to finish something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small time" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a short or insignificant duration. Ludwig examples show it appears across various contexts like News & Media, Science and Academia, but more formal situations might call for alternatives such as "a brief period" or "a short while". While "a small time" is generally acceptable, ensure clarity by providing context and avoid overusing it in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief period

Focuses on the short duration, emphasizing conciseness.

a short while

Emphasizes the limited duration of the time span.

a little bit

Highlights the small quantity of time involved.

a moment

Suggests a very short, almost instantaneous duration.

a quick spell

Implies a short and often temporary period.

a fleeting instant

Highlights the very brief and transient nature of the time.

a narrow window

Suggests a limited opportunity within a specific timeframe.

a tight timeframe

Focuses on the limited duration and the need for efficiency.

a concise duration

Emphasizes the brevity and succinctness of the time period.

a reduced interval

Highlights a shorter period between two points in time.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small time" to refer to a short period needed for a task, such as, "I just need "a small time" to finish this task." It can also describe someone's involvement in minor activities, like "He was "a small time criminal"".

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

You can use alternatives like "a short while", "a brief period", or "a moment", depending on the context.

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

While grammatically correct, "a small time" might be considered informal for highly formal contexts. In such cases, consider using more precise language like "a brief period" or "a limited duration".

What's the difference between "a small time" and "a short time"?

Both phrases indicate a brief duration, but "a small time" may also imply insignificance or a lack of importance, whereas "a short time" focuses primarily on the brevity of the duration.