a tiny minority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tiny minority" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a very small group of people or things that are part of a much larger group. For example, "Although a tiny minority disagreed, the majority voted in favor of the proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A tiny minority favours imminent unification.

The Economist

A tiny minority do not.

The Guardian

It represents a tiny minority.

The Guardian

In Britain, Sikhs are a tiny minority.

The New York Times

But only a tiny minority do.

The Guardian

We are no longer a tiny minority.

The Guardian

These women are in a tiny minority.

The Guardian - Film

But they still a tiny minority.

The Guardian

Christians are a tiny minority in Pakistan.

The New York Times

Yet, increasingly, it's for only a tiny minority of us.

The New York Times

A tiny minority is now on apprenticeship schemes.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to emphasize just how few people or things are part of a larger group, use "a tiny minority" to really drive home the point.

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny minority" when the group you're describing is actually more substantial. While subjective, ensure that the context warrants the emphasis on extreme smallness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny minority" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It quantifies a subset of a larger group, emphasizing its small proportion. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tiny minority" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to denote a very small portion of a larger group. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. Its effectiveness lies in emphasizing the limited scale or influence of that group. As demonstrated by the numerous examples from sources such as The Guardian, The New York Times and The Economist, it's commonly found in neutral contexts like news reporting and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context justifies the emphasis on extreme smallness. Consider alternatives like ""a negligible minority"" or ""a very small minority"" to fine-tune the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a very small minority

Adds "very" to intensify the smallness of the minority.

a negligible minority

Replaces "tiny" with "negligible", emphasizing the insignificance of the minority.

a microscopic minority

Substitutes "tiny" with "microscopic", further highlighting the extremely small size of the group.

a diminutive minority

Uses "diminutive" instead of "tiny", conveying a sense of smallness and unimportance.

a slight minority

Replaces "tiny" with "slight", indicating a small degree or extent of the minority.

an insignificant few

Replaces "minority" with "few", suggesting a small number of individuals, and "tiny" with "insignificant", emphasizing their lack of importance.

a small minority

Removes "tiny" for a more general description of a minority.

a handful of individuals

Uses "handful" to indicate a very small number of people, replacing "minority" with "individuals".

a select few

Emphasizes the smallness and exclusivity of the group, implying they are specially chosen.

a scarce number

Indicates that the number is small and hard to find or come by.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tiny minority" to describe a very small group of people or things that are part of a much larger group. For example, "Although "a tiny minority" disagreed, the majority voted in favor of the proposal."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "a tiny minority"?

Alternatives to "a tiny minority" include "a negligible minority", "a very small minority", or "a small minority", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While grammatically correct, using "a tiny minority" is most effective when you want to emphasize the insignificance or smallness of a group within a larger context. Ensure the context aligns with this emphasis.

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

The phrase "a tiny minority" emphasizes the extremely small size of the group more strongly than ""a small minority"". The former is used when you want to highlight the insignificance or near-absence of the group.