a tiny piece

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tiny piece" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small portion or fragment of something. Example: "She handed me a tiny piece of chocolate, just enough to satisfy my craving."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Maybe a tiny piece".

The New York Times - Style

You manage to save a tiny piece of the photo.

The New Yorker

But such big players remain a tiny piece of eBay.

The New York Times

For instance, what would eat a tiny piece of plastic about the size of plankton?

Harvard University

OK, I'm going to close by just reading you a tiny piece from this book.

Cornell University

"A tiny piece of genetic material can overtake an entire complex animal," he says.

Cornell University

At its heart is a tiny piece of a transition metal oxide sandwiched between two electrodes.

Stanford University

Even Lew, so careful with his diet, took a tiny piece.

The New Yorker

A tiny piece — $287,000 — was from salary and other base compensation.

The New York Times

At the station he also handed me a tiny piece of homemade parchment.

The Washington Post

"It seems like a tiny piece of me is gone," Bilsky said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tiny piece" when you want to emphasize the small size or insignificance of something, whether it's a physical object or an abstract concept.

Common error

While "a tiny piece" is widely understood, overuse in formal contexts might make your writing sound less sophisticated. Consider stronger alternatives like "a minute portion" or "a trace amount" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny piece" functions as a noun phrase where "tiny" modifies the noun "piece". Ludwig AI confirms it's used to describe a small portion or fragment of something. It often serves as a determiner specifying the quantity or extent of something, as shown in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

32%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a tiny piece" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe a small portion or fragment of something. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread applicability across various contexts. Its frequency is classified as "very common", appearing most often in news and media, as well as wiki entries. While perfectly acceptable, consider more formal alternatives in professional settings. The phrase serves to indicate a limited quantity or extent, adding nuance to descriptions in both concrete and abstract scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small fragment

Replaces "tiny" with "small" and "piece" with "fragment", emphasizing the broken-off nature of the portion.

a minute portion

Replaces "tiny" with "minute", suggesting extreme smallness.

a little bit

Uses more informal language to convey a small amount or portion.

a trace amount

Highlights the insignificance of the quantity.

a fraction

Emphasizes that it's a part of a whole.

a sliver

Suggests a thin, narrow piece.

a speck

Implies an extremely small and often insignificant piece.

a modicum

Refers to a limited quantity, often of something abstract.

a smidgen

An informal way of referring to a very small amount.

a scintilla

Indicates a very tiny amount, often used in formal contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tiny piece" to describe a small portion of something. For example, "She offered me "a tiny piece" of cake" or "He saved "a tiny piece" of the photo".

What can I say instead of "a tiny piece"?

You can use alternatives like "a small fragment", "a little bit", or "a minute portion" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a tiny piece of" something?

Yes, it is perfectly correct to say "a tiny piece of" something. It is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate a small part of a larger whole.

What is the difference between "a tiny piece" and "a small piece"?

While both describe a small portion, "a tiny piece" implies an even smaller size than "a small piece". "Tiny" suggests something almost negligible in size.