a tiny error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tiny error" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a minor mistake or mistake that is insignificant. For example: Even though I spent a lot of time proofreading my essay, I still made a tiny error in a section of the conclusion.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

("I wrote before I Googled," he said of a tiny error in the program).

The New Yorker

This is a tiny error but a telling one, for it indicates Stone's novelistic impulse toward circularity, toward the infinite.

The New York Times - Books

It was a tiny error: "I was convinced that's what he would have said because he's a Scot and he swears a lot.

The Guardian - Books

Even a tiny error in the representation of a virtual character can cause viewers to sense that they are looking at a contrived figure.

The New York Times - Tech

In 1994, the giant chip maker was humbled by a tiny error in the floating point calculation unit of its Pentium chips.

The New York Times - Tech

First of all by working in small scale, any slight error would be magnified – a tiny error in a 30cm long model of Diplodocus representing an animal that may have been more than 25m could easily result in a huge error when scaled up the necessary 90 or so times.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

And once the conditions are plugged into a computer program, any tiny error gets compounded.

The New York Times

Still, you can hear minor footwork all too easily and were uncomfortably close to any tiny error.

The New York Times - Arts

Let's say a physician writes a prescription for Colchicine and accidentally orders "10.0 mg," when he should have ordered "1.0 mg". That's a tiny decimal error, a mistake even the best doctor could make.

Forbes

The otherwise solid rundown of Coors Field's amenities contained just one tiny error: The newspaper used a photo of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

HuffPost

A tiny defensive error allowed Radin to bring home an "impossible" game on the diagramed deal, helping his team to victory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing complex systems or processes, acknowledge that "a tiny error" can have significant consequences. This demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the subject matter.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the repercussions of "a tiny error". Ensure that the context justifies the level of concern expressed; otherwise, your writing might seem hyperbolic or alarmist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny error" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "tiny" modifies the noun "error". This phrase identifies and describes a specific type of mistake. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

27%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tiny error" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a minor mistake. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. Its primary function is to downplay the significance of an error, and it is frequently found in news and media, scientific, and academic sources. While versatile, it is important to avoid exaggerating the impact of such errors. Related phrases include "a minor mistake" and "a slight imperfection", offering alternative ways to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor mistake

Replaces "error" with "mistake" while maintaining the sense of a small issue.

a small oversight

Substitutes "error" with "oversight", suggesting something missed rather than a direct mistake.

a negligible inaccuracy

Replaces "tiny" with "negligible" and "error" with "inaccuracy", emphasizing the lack of significance.

a slight imperfection

Uses "imperfection" instead of "error", softening the negative connotation.

a trivial fault

Replaces "tiny" with "trivial" and "error" with "fault", indicating a minor flaw.

a minimal discrepancy

Emphasizes a small difference rather than a mistake.

a petty flaw

Similar to "trivial fault", but with slightly more negative connotation.

an insignificant slip-up

Informal alternative emphasizing lack of importance.

a venial mistake

A less common, more formal way of saying a forgivable mistake.

a hairline fault

Uses a visual metaphor to describe the error, implying it's hard to spot.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tiny error" to describe a minor mistake or oversight. For example, "Even a tiny error in the code can cause significant problems."

What phrases are similar to "a tiny error"?

Similar phrases include "a minor mistake", "a small oversight", or "a negligible inaccuracy".

Is it okay to start a sentence with "a tiny error"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "a tiny error", especially if you want to emphasize the error itself. For instance: "A tiny error led to the system failure."

What's the difference between "a tiny error" and "a slight error"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. However, "a tiny error" might suggest an even smaller or less impactful mistake compared to "a slight error".