a tiny data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tiny data" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct term is "a tiny amount of data" or simply "tiny data" when referring to small datasets. Example: "In our analysis, we found that a tiny amount of data was sufficient to draw meaningful conclusions."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

(A disclosure and a tiny data point: I'm an alumnus and the co-founder of a Silicon-Valley backed company).

The New Yorker

The Wrist PDA watch, due in February for $145 from Fossil, is a tiny data organizer that accepts information beamed via infrared from your Palm.

The New York Times - Tech

To identify potential bugs in the pipeline, always test the proposed workflow in a tiny data set first, before applying it into the real data sets.

Briefings in Bioinformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

MERS, a tiny data-management company, claimed the right to foreclose, but would not explain how it came to possess the mortgage notes originally issued by banks.

The New York Times

That could be problematic if you're working with a relatively tiny data cap.

TechCrunch

One of the biggest problems doctors have with Medicare is not the reimbursement rates, but that Medicare systems reject so many of their claims for tiny data entry errors that wouldn't bother a human, even if one noticed.

Huffington Post

Cookies, tiny data files automatically placed by some sites on a computer's hard drive with a unique tracking number, are another way that a user's Web surfing habits are tracked.

The New York Times - Tech

Now, armed with tiny data loggers that can measure and record months of movement, a team of researchers has finally put a number to the birds' frequent-flier habits.

Science Magazine

Throughout his career, Kiehl has been frustrated by the difficulty of scanning offenders, and the tiny data samples scientists have to work with.

The New Yorker

Similar thrills attended the mainstreaming of the phrase "big data", which made everyone wonder in embarrassment how they had got along with their pathetic wad of tiny data for so long.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Polling isn't big data, it is tiny data.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "amount of data" or "data set" after adjectives like "tiny", "small", or "limited" for grammatical correctness. For example, say "a tiny amount of data" or "a small data set" instead of "a tiny data".

Common error

Avoid using singular articles (a/an) with "data" directly as "data" is generally considered a plural noun (though often treated as singular). Instead, use "a tiny amount of data" or rephrase to use "data set".

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a descriptive modifier intended to express a small quantity of information. It's attempting to quantify or characterize the size of a data collection. As Ludwig AI points out, this is grammatically dubious. The word data usually functions as plural noun.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a tiny data" appears in various contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Standard English prefers "a tiny amount of data" or simply "tiny data". As Ludwig AI specifies, "data" is typically treated as a plural noun, making the singular article "a" inappropriate. Although present in news and scientific articles, its use is infrequent, and it's advisable to opt for grammatically sound alternatives in formal writing. Consider using phrases like "small amount of data" or "limited data set" for improved clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small amount of data

Replaces "tiny" with "small" and adds "amount of" for grammatical correctness.

a minimal amount of data

Substitutes "tiny" with "minimal" emphasizing the scarcity of data.

a limited data set

Uses "limited" instead of "tiny" and specifies "data set" instead of singular "data".

a negligible quantity of data

Replaces "tiny" with "negligible quantity", stressing the insignificance of the data.

a trace of data

Emphasizes the extremely small and potentially difficult-to-detect nature of the data.

a fragment of data

Highlights that only a small piece of the overall data is being considered.

a trickle of data

Implies a slow and continuous flow of a small amount of data.

a dearth of data

Indicates a scarcity or lack of data.

scant data

A more concise phrase omitting "a" and using the adjective "scant" directly.

a smattering of data

Suggests a scattered and uneven distribution of a small amount of data.

FAQs

What's the correct way to refer to a small quantity of data?

The accurate expression is "a tiny amount of data" or simply "tiny data". Avoid "a tiny data", which is grammatically incorrect.

Is "a tiny data" grammatically correct?

No, "a tiny data" is not grammatically correct. "Data" is generally used as a plural noun, so you should say "a tiny amount of data" or "tiny data set".

What are some alternatives to "a tiny amount of data"?

Consider alternatives such as "small amount of data", "limited data", or "minimal data" depending on the specific context.

How can I use the phrase "tiny data" in a sentence?

You can use "tiny data" in sentences like: "We made significant conclusions based on the tiny data available" or "The analysis was performed using a tiny data set".