a tiny deficit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tiny deficit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small shortfall or lack in a particular context, such as finance or resources. Example: "After reviewing the budget, we found that there is a tiny deficit that needs to be addressed before the end of the fiscal year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Today it downgraded that forecast, so there would still be a tiny 0.2% deficit in that version of the budget in 2016-17.

BBC

Check out this chart that shows that the recovery act is a tiny part of the deficit puzzle.

Huffington Post

But cutting spending right now on relief and recovery efforts would worsen the economic slowdown and the suffering of millions of Americans, while making only a tiny dent in future deficits.

The New York Times

To be sure, the $1.6 billion in savings is a tiny part of the overall deficit, but symbolically it carries much greater weight by suggesting that other universal benefits that have disproportionately benefited the middle class, including heating allowances, free bus passes and television licenses for the elderly, might also be vulnerable.

The New York Times

What pisses me off is that Mayor Moneybags, who claims education is his top priority, could cover the entire library budget deficit with a tiny fraction of his $17 billion personal wealth.

Huffington Post

America's trade deficit fell just a tiny bit in the month of November, from $38.4 billion to $38.3 billion.

The Economist

Today it has net foreign liabilities and these are expected to reach $3.3 trillion, or 28% of GDP, by the end of 2004 (see chart 2).Some economies, such as Australia and New Zealand, have built up bigger debt ratios without obvious adverse economic consequences, but they are small countries so their current-account deficits absorb only a tiny fraction of global saving.

The Economist

Finally, earmarks are, as Mr. Obama indicated, a tiny part of the federal government's overall budget and deficit.

The New York Times

It panders to a tiny, tiny minority.

The New York Times

A tiny, tiny monkey.

The New Yorker

A tiny aphid.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial reports or budgets, use "a tiny deficit" to downplay concerns about a small shortfall, maintaining a positive or neutral tone. It is most appropriate when the deficit is not expected to have a significant impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny deficit" when the actual shortfall is substantial or has serious implications. Using the phrase in such contexts can mislead readers and undermine the credibility of the analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny deficit" functions as a noun phrase, where "tiny" modifies the noun "deficit". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, indicating a small shortfall.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a tiny deficit" is used to describe a minor financial shortfall, often in contexts where the impact is minimal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, providing a neutral way to convey financial information without causing undue concern. When writing, ensure the use of this phrase aligns with the actual scale and implications of the deficit to maintain accuracy and credibility. Alternative phrases like "a slight shortfall" or "a minimal deficit" can be used to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A slight shortfall

Replaces "deficit" with "shortfall" and "tiny" with "slight", maintaining the meaning of a small deficiency.

A minimal deficit

Substitutes "tiny" with "minimal", emphasizing the insignificance of the deficit.

A small deficit

Uses "small" instead of "tiny", offering a more common synonym.

A negligible deficit

Replaces "tiny" with "negligible", highlighting that the deficit is so small it can be ignored.

A minor shortfall

Combines "minor" to replace "tiny" and "shortfall" to replace "deficit", indicating a slight lack.

A marginal deficit

Uses "marginal" to denote that the deficit is at the edge of being significant.

A hairline deficit

Employs "hairline" to express how thin or small the deficit is.

A fractional deficit

Replaces "tiny" with "fractional", emphasizing that the deficit is only a fraction of the total.

A microscopic deficit

Exaggerates the smallness of the deficit by using "microscopic".

A trivial deficit

Substitutes "tiny" with "trivial", indicating that the deficit is not important.

FAQs

What does "a tiny deficit" mean in financial terms?

In financial terms, "a tiny deficit" refers to a very small shortfall in funds or resources. It suggests the amount lacking is insignificant and unlikely to cause major problems.

How to use "a tiny deficit" in a sentence?

You can use "a tiny deficit" to describe a budget or financial situation. For example: "After careful review, the company reported "a tiny deficit" this quarter, which is easily manageable."

Which is more appropriate, "a tiny deficit" or "a small deficit"?

Both "a tiny deficit" and "a small deficit" are appropriate, but ""a tiny deficit"" emphasizes the insignificance of the amount even more than "a small deficit".

What are some alternatives to "a tiny deficit" that still convey the small scale of the shortfall?

Alternatives include "a slight shortfall", "a minimal deficit", or "a negligible deficit", all of which highlight the insignificant nature of the deficit.