a small vote

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small vote" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a vote that has a low number of participants or a minimal impact on the overall outcome. Example: "The proposal received a small vote of support from the committee, indicating limited enthusiasm for the initiative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The referendum this weekend will attract a small vote.

The Guardian

"You can go through a whole career without a small vote for anything.

The New York Times

Last week, she gave a small vote of confidence to the currency union when she took her marks into a Bundesbank branch to exchange them at a roughly 2-to-1 rate once and for all.

The New York Times

But in a close race, a small vote can loom large, especially when, as in the case of the Muslim vote, it is concentrated in crucial states like California, Michigan, Virginia and New York.

The New York Times

Each actions becomes a small vote that tells your mind, "Hey, I believe this about myself".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

American Indians constitute such a small voting bloc in national elections, about one million people, that the Census Bureau does not track their participation rates as it does for whites, blacks and Hispanics.

The New York Times

Meanwhile Parsons has been trying to placate investor Icahn, who has assembled a small voting stake in the company and used it to try to pressure Parson into bumping up the company's dividend, selling off the entirety of its cable unit and doing anything else that could increase the conglomerate's share price.

Forbes

What Kaplan neglects to mention, in her otherwise balanced piece, is that several of these races are so close that even a small voting population can tip the scales between winning and losing, if candidates make the effort.

Huffington Post

Even a smaller vote could upset the political kaleidoscope.

The Economist

"This is the first president ever reelected to a second term who has gotten a smaller percentage of the vote and a smaller vote in the electoral college the second time around," Rove said.

Huffington Post

For some, the loss of Ireland's European commissioner and a smaller voting weight summed up their country's reduced clout in the enlarged EU.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small vote", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the limited impact or participation in the voting process. It is useful to emphasize that even a small vote can have a significant impact under particular circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "a small vote" when the vote actually had a significant influence or represents a substantial portion of the electorate. Ensure the adjective "small" accurately reflects the size and impact of the vote.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small vote" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "small" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "vote". This phrase typically describes the size or quantity of participation in a voting event, consistent with Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small vote" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a vote with limited participation or impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English, but relatively rare. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as scientific and wiki. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the scale of the vote and its influence. Alternatives like "a limited number of votes" or "a minimal vote" can provide similar meaning, depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a limited number of votes

Focuses on the quantity being restricted.

a minimal vote

Emphasizes the insignificance of the vote.

a negligible vote

Highlights the lack of impact of the vote.

a minor vote

Indicates the vote is of less importance.

a fractional vote

Suggests the vote represents a tiny part of the whole.

a scant vote

Implies the vote is barely sufficient.

a paltry vote

Conveys the vote is insignificant and meager.

a reduced vote

Emphasizes the act of diminishing the vote.

a diminished vote

Highlights that the vote has been lessened in some way.

a tiny vote

Uses a more informal term for smallness.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small vote" to describe a situation where the number of votes is low or the impact is minimal. For example, "The referendum attracted "a small vote" due to public apathy".

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

You can use alternatives like "a limited number of votes", "a minimal vote", or "a negligible vote" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to describe a vote as "a small vote"?

Not necessarily. While it often suggests a lack of broad support or interest, it can also simply be a factual description. The context determines whether it carries a negative connotation.

What's the difference between "a small vote" and "a small number of votes"?

"A small vote" emphasizes the collective entity of the vote itself being small, while "a small number of votes" focuses on the quantity of individual votes. The difference is subtle but can affect the nuance of your writing.