a tiny collection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tiny collection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small group or assortment of items, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "She has a tiny collection of vintage postcards from her travels."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Every university provides access to a huge collection of potential readings, and to a tiny collection of potential lectures.

The Guardian

Tonga, a tiny collection of 170 coral islands between New Zealand and Hawaii, is in celebratory mood.

The Guardian

The Tobago Cays, a tiny collection of uninhabited islets, is a nature preserve that has some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean.

The New York Times - Travel

No longer a working village, this is a tiny collection of thatched cottages in banded flint, familiar building material in the Dorset and Wiltshire chalkland.

The Guardian

It felt like we were journeying to the remotest place on earth, as a tiny collection of houses came into view on the Greenland ice: Niaqornat, home to 59 Inuits and 100 dogs.

The Guardian - Travel

Had that antisemitic slur against Campaign Against Antisemitism been signed by anything other than a tiny collection of Jews whose views are abhorred by the mainstream Jewish community, you would not have dared to publish it.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The next day, a radiologist carefully inserted a needle into the tiny collection of fluid and drew out a few c.c.'s of blood-tinged fluid.

The New York Times - Magazine

The tiny collection (an exhibit occupying one wall of a side chapel) offers documentary evidence of cases in which the dead used fire to make their wishes known — to persuade their family and friends to say more prayers for them and thus hasten their release from purgatory.

The New York Times - Travel

It was fascinating to discover that this tiny collection covers a very important era in the world wide ecumenical movement.

Columbia University

Silver phoned buyers and editors in New York, and the Mulleavys made their first trip to Manhattan, where they schlepped their tiny collection around in a cardboard box.

The New Yorker

(That's a bit like saying that for a successful White House bid, John Edwards should have had more mistresses and babies because "look at all the publicity!") Whatever the final outcome, it's worth noting that, in a larger sense, Bast is correct: this tiny collection of deniers has actually been incredibly effective over the past years.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tiny collection" when you want to emphasize the limited or insignificant size of a group of items or things. This phrase is effective in conveying scale and scope in both descriptive and analytical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny collection" in formal or academic writing where more precise or technical language might be required. Opt for terms like "limited dataset" or "small sample size" for increased credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny collection" functions as a noun phrase, where "tiny" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "collection". This phrase is used to describe a group of items or things that are small in number or size, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Travel

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a tiny collection" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a small group of items. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is acceptable in English writing and widely used in neutral to informal contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, its informality suggests avoiding it in strictly formal or technical writing, favoring more precise alternatives. It's used to convey the limited quantity or scale of something, and as the examples show, it is an effective way to emphasize the small number or size of the subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small assortment

Focuses on the variety within a limited quantity, rather than just the size.

a limited set

Emphasizes the restricted or finite nature of the group.

a miniature array

Highlights the diminutive scale and organized arrangement.

a scant selection

Stresses the insufficiency or meagerness of what's available.

a meager grouping

Suggests a poor or inadequate amount brought together.

a handful

Uses a more direct and informal way to indicate a small quantity.

a smattering

Implies a sparse and scattered distribution.

a trickle

Conveys a slow and minimal flow or presence.

a minor cluster

Highlights the small size of a grouped collection.

a diminutive compilation

Emphasizes the reduced size and assembled nature.

FAQs

How can I use "a tiny collection" in a sentence?

"A tiny collection" can be used to describe a small number of items, such as "She had "a tiny collection" of seashells from her travels".

What are some synonyms for "a tiny collection"?

Alternatives to "a tiny collection" include "a small assortment", "a limited set", or "a handful" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a tiny collection" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a tiny collection" might be too informal for academic or professional contexts. Consider using more precise terms such as "limited sample" or "small dataset" instead.

How does the connotation of "a tiny collection" differ from "a small collection"?

"A tiny collection" emphasizes the extreme smallness or insignificance of the collection, whereas "a small collection" simply indicates that the collection is not large. The term "tiny" adds a stronger sense of diminutiveness.