a tiny instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tiny instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small or minor example of something, often in a context where you want to highlight the insignificance or minimal nature of the instance. Example: "In the grand scheme of things, this is just a tiny instance of the larger problem we are facing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's just a tiny instance every now and then that causes a problem.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We're trying to see if we can generate a very tiny instance of this in a tabletop experiment, to try to perturb space-time by one part in 10 million," White said.

Huffington Post

A tiny example.

The New York Times - Books

This can be illustrated by the following example: Consider the "tiny" instance from the FAP website, with the frequency spectrum set to {5,…,11} and the k I values set to one (equal to FAP) and three, respectively.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Tiny instances of humanity lighten Khalid's life in Guantánamo – a prison guard who gives him a piece of chocolate; the arrival of a yellowing Reader's Digest copy of To Kill a Mocking Bird, which Khalid devours over and over again; a sudden glimpse of blue sky from the exercise yard – and the ending offers a glimmer of hope for the future.

The Guardian - Books

However, solving these new models becomes dramatically harder: finding optimal layouts for these models is beyond reach of current optimization techniques, except for tiny instances.

Computers & Chemical Engineering

Chrysler will sell a tiny rebadged Nissan, for instance, starting in 2010.

Forbes

I shot my entire film on a small DLSR camera, a point-and-shoot camera, and in a few instances, a tiny camera mounted in a pair of glasses.

The Guardian - Opinion

The dirt-detection system, for instance, uses a tiny microphone to detect dirt.

The New York Times - Tech

Oil money, for instance, is a tiny slice of the pie – that controversial Tate sponsorship amounted to an estimated 0.5% of the organisation's annual turnover.

The Guardian

Profusa, for instance, is a tiny biocompatible implant that sits under your skin and uses fluorescence to indicate levels of oxygen, glucose, lactate, or other biomarkers.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tiny instance", ensure the context clearly establishes the larger picture to which this instance is contrasted. This helps emphasize the insignificance or limited scope of the example.

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny instance" when describing events that have significant consequences or broad implications. This can undermine the credibility of your statement by creating a mismatch between the descriptive phrase and the actual impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny instance" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific occurrence that is notably small or insignificant, often in contrast to a larger context. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tiny instance" is a noun phrase used to denote a small or insignificant occurrence, often to contrast it with something larger or more important. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in a variety of contexts, with a neutral register. While adaptable to both formal and informal settings, be mindful of its intent to downplay significance and avoid using it when describing events with substantial impact. Alternative phrases include "a small example" and "a minor case". The phrase is most commonly found in news, media, and scientific publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small example

Focuses on the illustrative aspect while retaining the sense of smallness.

a minor case

Emphasizes the insignificance of the event or situation.

a slight occurrence

Highlights the subtlety and limited impact of the event.

a minimal example

Stresses the extremely limited nature of the illustration.

a fleeting moment

Implies the brevity and transient nature of the event.

a rare instance

Suggests that the occurrence is uncommon.

a limited case

Highlights restrictions and the confined scope.

a trivial example

Underscores that the example is unimportant or insignificant.

a speck of a case

Exaggerates the smallness of the event or case.

a mere illustration

Focuses on how the case is purely illustrative, reducing its inherent weight.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tiny instance" to refer to a small or minor example of something. For example: "This error is just "a tiny instance" of a much larger systemic problem."

What phrases are similar to "a tiny instance"?

Similar phrases include "a small example", "a minor case", or "a slight occurrence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a tiny instance"?

While generally correct, "a tiny instance" may not be suitable if the instance has significant consequences, even if it appears small. In such cases, alternatives like "a key example" might be more fitting.

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

"A tiny instance" emphasizes the scale of the occurrence and its perceived insignificance, whereas "a small example" focuses more on its illustrative nature. The choice depends on whether you want to stress the size or the representativeness of the example.