a tiny increase

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tiny increase" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to describe a small but noticeable change or growth in something. Example: "After implementing the new marketing strategy, there was a tiny increase in website traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

In some markets that means a small price cut, in others a tiny increase.

The Economist

There was no meltdown and indeed even a tiny increase in the share of the vote.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even a tiny increase in the dose of medication can have serious effects — especially in babies born prematurely.

The New York Times - Health

An American trial reported that PSA screening brought a tiny increase in mortality, relative to a control group.

The Economist

According to Ward's Automotive Reports, G.M. wound up with 28.34 percent of car and light-truck sales, a tiny increase of about 0.03percentt.

The New York Times

Even such a tiny increase would be welcome in a nation where consumer prices have been flat or have fallen in every month but one since May 1998.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

National Science Foundation: NSF's budget would grow by only $50 million—a tiny 0.7% increase over the current $7.345 billion.

Science Magazine

As New Mexican Dick Holland, the scientist who authored the paper describing these butterflies, wrote, "a very tiny increase in global temperature shall push this taxon into thin air, and give it no place to live".

Huffington Post

► Also on Wednesday, David Malakoff and Jeffrey Mervis reported that "a draft 2016 appropriations bill released [that day] by a U.S. House of Representatives spending panel" would increase the National Science Foundation's (NSF's) budget by $50 million, which is "a tiny 0.7% increase over the current $7.345 billion" and "$329 million below the president's request".

Science Magazine

That seems like a tiny percentage increase.

Harvard Business Review

"It'd be a mistake to stop a merger just because the government witness… says there'll be a tiny price increase," said Carlton.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tiny increase", consider the overall context. It's most effective when contrasting it with something significant or unexpected. For example, "Despite the massive investment, there was only a tiny increase in sales."

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny increase" when describing a change that is actually substantial. Doing so can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny increase" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It specifically quantifies the extent of growth or augmentation in a given context. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a tiny increase" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a minimal degree of growth or change. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across various contexts, especially in news and scientific publications. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with the actual scale of change to maintain accuracy and credibility. Alternative phrases like "a slight rise" or "a marginal increase" can be used for similar effect, though "tiny" adds additional emphasis on how minimal the increase actually is. Remember to avoid overstating the increase and potentially misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a marginal increase

Emphasizes the increase is at the very edge of being significant.

a slight rise

Focuses on the action of increasing, using a more concise term.

a minimal growth

Highlights the aspect of growing, suggesting a slow and small development.

a modest uptick

More informal; suggests a slight and often temporary improvement.

a fractional gain

Implies the increase is only a small fraction of the whole.

a barely perceptible increase

Stresses that the increase is difficult to notice.

an insignificant rise

Highlights the lack of importance of the increase.

a hairline increase

Similar to tiny, suggesting thinness and smallness in amount.

a negligible increment

Indicates that the increase is so small that it can be ignored.

a soupçon of increase

Uses a French loanword for a hint or small amount, implying delicacy.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tiny increase" to describe a minimal growth or change. For instance, "The new policy resulted in "a tiny increase" in customer satisfaction."

What's a good alternative to "a tiny increase"?

Alternatives include "a slight rise", "a marginal increase", or "a minimal growth" depending on the context.

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

Yes, it is appropriate, especially when accuracy is important. Using "a tiny increase" conveys the precise scale of the change, which can be useful in formal reports or analyses.

What's the difference between "a tiny increase" and "a small increase"?

"A tiny increase" suggests an even smaller increment than "a small increase". "Tiny" emphasizes the minimal nature of the change more strongly.