a tiny contribution

USAGE SUMMARY

"a tiny contribution" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you would like to describe something that is not significant or when emphasizing something as a small offering. For example, "My donation was just a tiny contribution to the charity compared to what others had donated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

We're more than happy to make a tiny contribution".

The New York Times

By contrast, self-employment made a tiny contribution to the 1990s rebound.

The Economist

The Australian Capital Territory is effectively a city-state; the rural areas make only a tiny contribution to the economy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And that, in turn, means that every other taxpayer will have been forced to make a tiny contribution to Planned Parenthood, too.

The New York Times

In the grand scale of things it is a tiny contribution to a growing movement, but the example of South Africa should give us heart.

The Guardian - Opinion

He owed €1,800 in electricity bills but managed to make a tiny contribution every once in a while to stop getting cut off.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Whole genome linkage analyses have not yet lead to the identification of genes for ADHD, and results of candidate gene-based association studies have been able to explain only a tiny part of the genetic contribution to disease, either.

Human Genetics

But by analysing data from hundreds of thousands of people, scientists have located thousands of DNA differences that each make a tiny statistical contribution to likelihood of academic success.

The Guardian

If, as a "policy scientist," I am capable of making one tiny contribution to that juncture of science and society, I will regard my winding and shifting educational path as necessary and meaningful, albeit nontraditional.

Science Magazine

But the farmers, who wield political strength here far greater than their tiny contribution to the gross domestic product, oppose any opening of the country's highly protected markets.

The New York Times

Figure 6.18 is an example where there are bright features present so intense that the core of the PSF is suppressed because of pile-up (see Section 6.16), allowing the tiny contribution of the flux due to trailing to be stronger than the (piled-up) core of the direct exposure - hence the trailed image is clearly visible.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tiny contribution" when you want to downplay the significance of an action or emphasize humility. It is often used when offering help or making a donation.

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny contribution" when the actual contribution is substantial. Overly diminishing a significant impact can come across as insincere or dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny contribution" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition in a sentence. It denotes something given or done that is small and often viewed as insignificant.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a tiny contribution" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe something that is small or insignificant. Ludwig AI confirms it’s a usable phrase in English for describing something not significant or emphasizing a small offering. It is most commonly found in "News & Media", science, and encyclopedia contexts. When using the phrase, be mindful of accurately representing the scale of the contribution to avoid appearing insincere. Consider alternatives such as "a minimal contribution" or "a negligible contribution" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minimal contribution

Emphasizes the contribution is as small as possible.

a negligible contribution

Highlights the contribution is so small it's practically insignificant.

an insignificant offering

Replaces "contribution" with a word that directly implies smallness.

a modest donation

Implies humbleness about the giving.

a small offering

Replaces "contribution" with a more generic term for giving, emphasizing the small size.

a minor part

Focuses on the limited role or influence of something.

a drop in the ocean

Uses an idiom to convey how small the contribution is compared to the whole.

a grain of sand

This conveys that the contribution is too small to have any impact.

a scintilla

Implies that the contribution is minuscule and almost negligible.

a soupçon

Implies that the contribution is very slight or small.

FAQs

What does "a tiny contribution" mean?

It refers to something given or done that is very small or insignificant in amount or impact.

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

You might say, "My donation was just "a tiny contribution" compared to the overall fundraising goal".

What are some alternatives to "a tiny contribution"?

You can use alternatives like "a minimal contribution", "a negligible contribution", or "a small offering" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to describe a large donation as "a tiny contribution"?

Generally, no. Describing a large donation as "a tiny contribution" could be seen as insincere or misleading. It's best to reserve this phrase for genuinely small or humble offerings.