a tiny enterprise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tiny enterprise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small business or organization, often emphasizing its size or scale. Example: "Despite being a tiny enterprise, we have managed to make a significant impact in our local community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But "America Held Hostage" was a tiny enterprise compared to the multi-network, multi-program coverage given to today's wartime families.

The New York Times - Arts

The Atlantic, a tiny enterprise compared with vast corporate magazine empires like Time Inc. and Condé Nast, has only about 100 business and editorial employees and a circulation of 470,000.

The New York Times

Sonja Nuttall, like many of her contemporaries, spoke of the perils of success for a tiny enterprise, the lack of corporate support in Great Britain, and the excitement of being in the fashion game.

The New Yorker

According to her boss, Jonathan Newhouse, the chief executive of Condé Nast International, Ms. Roitfeld raised the magazine's circulation over the course of her tenure from just under 100,000 copies to more than 140,000 this year — a tiny enterprise compared with Condé Nast's American magazines, including Vogue, which has a circulation of 1.2 million.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

HappyOrNot is profitable, and its revenues have doubled each year for the past several years; its clients have a habit of inquiring whether, by chance, the company is for sale — significant accomplishments for a still tiny enterprise whose leaders say that their ultimate goal is to change not just the way people think about customer satisfaction but also the way they think about happiness itself.

The New Yorker

They do not have the growth profile of a tiny exploration enterprise, Ms. Vital conceded, but she expects the supermajors' production to pick up soon.

The New York Times

No-one is more surprised at this turn of events than the trio behind a tiny northern enterprise that sells fuel for wood burners, as well as tackling fuel poverty in one of England's most remote rural locations.

The Guardian

This tiny enterprise facing the Branford green opened several years ago.

The New York Times

And if you think your tiny enterprise won't benefit, think again.

The Guardian

Not only was paleoanthropology itself a much tinier enterprise than it is today, but the sum total of hominid fossils known was hugely smaller.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

For one thing, a sizable part of net output in southern economies is generated in small firms almost a third of it in tiny enterprises (with fewer than 10 workers).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a business or project, use "a tiny enterprise" to highlight its limited scale and resources, often implying a sense of potential or underdog status. This phrase works well in narratives or reports where you want to create a sense of intimacy or contrast with larger entities.

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny enterprise" if you want to emphasize significant achievements or influence. The phrase can unintentionally downplay the impact of the organization, so consider using alternatives like "a small but effective business" or "a growing startup" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny enterprise" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "tiny" modifies the noun "enterprise". It serves to describe the scale or size of the business or venture. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tiny enterprise" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for describing a small-scale business or venture. According to Ludwig, the phrase is most commonly found in News & Media sources. While semantically valid, it's crucial to consider the intended tone and audience when choosing between "a tiny enterprise" and alternatives such as "a small business" or "a fledgling company". Using "a tiny enterprise" can highlight the underdog nature or potential of a new project, but remember to avoid overstating the accomplishments if you want to present it as a modest venture.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small business

Replaces 'tiny' with 'small', focusing on size without necessarily implying fragility or newness.

a miniature venture

Uses 'miniature' to emphasize the small scale of the enterprise.

a limited operation

Highlights the constrained scope and resources of the enterprise.

a micro-business

Emphasizes the extremely small scale, often referring to businesses with very few employees.

a small-scale undertaking

Replaces 'enterprise' with 'undertaking', highlighting the project nature of the business.

a fledgling company

Implies the enterprise is new and inexperienced, focusing on its developmental stage.

a boutique firm

Suggests a specialized and exclusive small business, often in a service industry.

a mom-and-pop shop

Indicates a family-owned and operated small business, often with a traditional feel.

a one-person operation

Highlights that the enterprise is run by a single individual, emphasizing its limited resources.

a shoestring startup

Focuses on the minimal funding and resources available to the new enterprise.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tiny enterprise" to describe a small business or project, often to emphasize its limited resources or humble beginnings. For example: "Despite being "a tiny enterprise", the company managed to secure a major contract."

What are some alternatives to "a tiny enterprise"?

Alternatives include "a small business", "a microbusiness", or "a small-scale undertaking". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

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

While grammatically correct, "a tiny enterprise" might be perceived as less formal than alternatives like "a small business". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when making your choice.

What connotations does "a tiny enterprise" carry?

"A tiny enterprise" often suggests a lack of resources, a small scale of operations, and potentially a new or struggling business. It can also imply a sense of intimacy, dedication, or potential for growth. Alternatives like "a boutique firm" or "a mom-and-pop shop" carry different connotations related to specialization or family ownership, respectively.