a tiny gap

USAGE SUMMARY

"a tiny gap" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a small amount of space between two things. For example, "She noticed a tiny gap between the door and the wall when the wind blew it shut".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Michelangelo leaves a tiny gap between them.

The Guardian - Books

Through a tiny gap in the curtains, I peer at the street.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

'They had opened a tiny gap in the windows at the top, but that was having no effect.

The Guardian

When asked exactly how much that was, he showed a tiny gap between one finger and thumb.

The New York Times

And he was also brave: his classic move was to drive for a tiny gap in the field.Mr Antley won 3,500 races, including two Kentucky Derbies.

The Economist

In electrical-discharge and electrochemical machining, an electrical charge passing through a liquid medium across a tiny gap dissolves material from the workpiece.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

" 'Now you do know, dear boy, that at the end of every line, leave a very tiny gap so they can get the scissors in.' " If not for that, he said, "I wouldn't have known anything about them having to cut and splice the film".

The New York Times

That is still an inconceivably tiny gap, but it is 10 quadrillion times as large as the black hole threshold in three dimensions.

The New York Times - Science

The HRS corresponds to a tiny tunnel gap or neck bridge with atomic size in the filament and would fail to LRS when the gap is filled by the metal diffusion from the residual filament.

Nanoscale Research Letters

There's brief lag, especially with high-resolution artwork, between a pen stroke and the appearance of its "ink," and there's a tiny glass gap between the tip of your pen and the image itself.

The New York Times - Tech

However, the efforts of the abovementioned approaches are limited and can only open a tiny band gap because of the robust π bands of graphene.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical objects or spaces, use "a tiny gap" to emphasize the limited size of the opening or space. For example, "The light streamed through "a tiny gap" in the curtains."

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny gap" when describing large or significant discrepancies. Instead, opt for phrases like "a significant difference" or "a major disparity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny gap" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig's examples show it describing physical openings, spaces, or differences in a concrete manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a tiny gap" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a small space or opening. According to Ludwig's AI, its use is appropriate and correct, making it a reliable choice for describing physical spaces. While its primary function is descriptive, it can also be employed metaphorically. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, this phrase maintains a neutral register and is best suited for concrete rather than highly abstract contexts. Remember to use it when you need to emphasize the limited size of an opening and avoid overusing it in scenarios requiring more significant discrepancies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small opening

Replaces "gap" with "opening" and "tiny" with "small", focusing on the physical space.

a minute space

Substitutes "gap" with "space" and "tiny" with "minute", indicating an extremely small area.

a narrow slit

Replaces "gap" with "slit" and "tiny" with "narrow", suggesting a long, thin opening.

a slight crevice

Uses "crevice" instead of "gap" and "slight" instead of "tiny", implying a natural or unintended fissure.

a hairline crack

Replaces "gap" with "crack" and "tiny" with "hairline", indicating a very thin fracture.

a minimal clearance

Substitutes "gap" with "clearance" and "tiny" with "minimal", emphasizing the amount of space for movement or passage.

a narrow margin

Replaces "gap" with "margin" and "tiny" with "narrow", highlighting a small difference or allowance.

an imperceptible separation

Uses "separation" instead of "gap" and "imperceptible" instead of "tiny", indicating something barely noticeable.

a negligible interval

Replaces "gap" with "interval" and "tiny" with "negligible", focusing on a very small period or distance.

a slim difference

Replaces "gap" with "difference" and "tiny" with "slim", suggesting a small disparity or distinction.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tiny gap" to describe a small space or opening. For instance, "The insect squeezed through "a tiny gap" in the window frame."

What's a synonym for "a tiny gap"?

Synonyms include "a small opening", "a minute space", or "a narrow slit", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a small gap" instead of "a tiny gap"?

Yes, "a small gap" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. "Tiny" simply emphasizes the extremely small size of the gap.

Can "a tiny gap" be used in non-physical contexts?

While primarily used for physical spaces, it can sometimes be used metaphorically. However, it's generally better to use more specific terms like "a slight difference" or "a minor discrepancy" in abstract contexts.