a small working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small working" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor or limited effort, project, or task that is currently in progress or being executed. Example: "The team is currently focused on a small working to improve the user interface of the application."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

This morning, Mr. Fleischer offered to reporters without being asked the date of April 23, which he said was the first meeting of a "small working group" that began to work specifically on the proposal creating the agency.

The New York Times

Instead of a large plenary session scheduled for Feb. 25 at the White House to work on health care reform, it might be better to have a small working group of Congressional leaders meet off the record to develop a set of principles around which legislation could later be developed.

The New York Times

Participation in a small working group is encouraged.

University of California, Berkeley

But at the same time a small working distance is a source of a number of practical difficulties.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms

Such a small working day would "entitle a man to the necessities and elementary comforts of life".

The Economist

The Steering Committee, a small working group of dedicated Dilmun Hill undergrads and Organic Farm Coordinator Betsy Leonard, facilitates governance.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The search began after 22-year-old Benjamin Mitchell was fatally shot in Seminole Heights—a small, working-class Tampa neighborhood at the beginning of October.

Vice

More than a year ago, Cudahy, a small working-class town southeast of downtown Los Angeles, declared itself a sanctuary city to encourage immigrants without legal status to cooperate with police.

Los Angeles Times

When too low, economies can rapidly contract, and a small working-age population has to support a large retired population.

The Washington Post

In this case it's a small working-class apartment house in Lisbon around 1950, and six flats, 15 people, 10 of them women.

The Guardian - Books

The town's proximity to Elgin, a small working-class city that has a sizable Latino population, has also been an attraction.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small working", ensure the context clearly indicates what the 'working' refers to, whether it's a group, model, town, or distance. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a small working" without a clear noun following it. The phrase needs to modify something specific. For instance, "a small working group" is correct, but simply saying "a small working" without further context can be confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small working" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It specifies that the noun (e.g. group, model, distance) is both small in size or scope and currently operational or in progress. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

30%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small working" is a grammatically sound adjectival phrase primarily used to modify a noun, indicating that something is both limited in scale and currently operational. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science" contexts, showing a neutral register. To ensure clarity, always pair "a small working" with a specific noun, such as group, model, or distance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor undertaking

Replaces "small working" with synonyms emphasizing the limited scale of the effort.

a limited project

Emphasizes the constrained scope of the work being done.

a modest endeavor

Substitutes "small" and "working" with terms indicating a humble and ongoing effort.

a focused task

Highlights the concentration of effort on a specific activity.

a concise study

Implies a brief and targeted investigation.

a light assignment

Suggests a task that is not overly demanding or time-consuming.

a brief exercise

Conveys a short and practical activity.

a contained activity

Emphasizes that the activity is controlled and limited in scope.

a developing piece

Focuses on the creation aspect of something small that is under construction or ongoing.

a manageable workload

Emphasizes the ease and controllability in the amount of job to be executed.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small working" to describe something that is in progress and limited in scope. For example, "The team established "a small working" model to test the prototype" or "The president assembled "a small working" group to address the issue".

What phrases are similar to "a small working"?

Similar phrases include "a minor undertaking", "a limited project", or "a modest endeavor". These alternatives emphasize the limited scale of the effort.

Is it correct to say just "a small working"?

While grammatically correct, "a small working" usually needs a noun to modify. It's better to use it with a noun like in "a small working group" or "a small working model" to provide a clearer meaning.

What's the difference between "a small working group" and "a large working group"?

"A small working group" refers to a limited number of individuals working together, while "a large working group" indicates a more extensive team. The choice depends on the scale and complexity of the task.