a tiny question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tiny question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that the question you are posing is minor or insignificant, for example: "I just have a tiny question - did you finish the report I asked for?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"A zygote like a tiny question mark drifts into her womb," Mr. Doerr writes silkily about one failed effort for Imogene to conceive.

The New York Times - Books

So overall it's a four-star review thanks to a tiny question about build integrity and a bit of a pouting lip at the way the engine delivers its performance.

Independent

Jim will sometimes take 5 years researching the answer a tiny question.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Now we're starting to find out – and I won't say it 100%, I'll put a little tiny question mark at the end.

The Guardian

The N.F.L. combine was days away, and even a tiny character question — why were they at a bar? — could mean the difference between early-round money and something less.

The New York Times - Sports

One more tiny question: Does it mean anything that so many of these smart people have high-level art jobs and eat so many free meals?

The New York Times - Arts

King also only one tiny question about the political process ("Mitchell McConnell [said]...we're winning the health care debate. What do you think of that?") and didn't attach a whole lot of importance to it, using it as a pivot question as opposed to a lead question.

Huffington Post

That's the grand question the book sets out to answer by way of a thousand other tiny questions about who did it; who saw it; why it happened; and whether — in the case of Ike's stricken, delirious father, who is the novel's master character even if he doesn't dominate its stage — its human consequences can be endured.

The New York Times - Books

For Kelly, it's 300 square feet in Vanserg Hall, where he and a team of graduate students conduct psychophysics experiments — to answer "very tiny questions" that lend themselves to empirical experiments, he said.

Harvard University

For example, she would stop us if we wanted to ask her a tiny bit more question.

BMC Health Services Research

Because in this world, even the tiniest question of credibility now precariously tips the tenuous platform that these companies have built for themselves.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tiny question" to preface an inquiry that you believe requires minimal effort or time to answer, signaling respect for the respondent's time.

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny question" excessively in professional contexts, as it can undermine the importance of your inquiries or make you appear hesitant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny question" functions as a pre-head modifier within a noun phrase. It combines the article 'a' with the adjective 'tiny' to describe the noun 'question', indicating its relative unimportance or small scope. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tiny question" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to preface an inquiry deemed minor or insignificant. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While frequently found in news and media sources, its application is also appropriate in science and general contexts. When employing this phrase, consider the context and your audience to ensure it aligns with your intended tone and does not undermine the importance of your question. Related phrases such as "a minor query" or "an insignificant question" can provide suitable alternatives in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an insignificant question

Replaces "tiny" with "insignificant" to directly convey the lack of importance.

a minor query

Replaces "question" with "query" implying a formal inquiry that is small in scope.

a negligible inquiry

Uses "negligible" to stress that the question is so small it can be ignored.

a trivial inquiry

Substitutes "question" with "inquiry" and uses "trivial" to highlight the unimportance.

a fleeting question

Implies the question is not only small but also passes quickly or isn't worth dwelling on.

a petite question

Uses the French-derived word "petite" as a synonym for tiny.

a small matter for consideration

Expands the phrase to emphasize the insignificant nature of the question as something being considered.

a slight concern

Changes the framing from a question to a concern, implying a small worry that needs addressing.

a light question

Changes "tiny" with "light" to emphasize the easiness of the question to answer or handle.

a marginal point

Shifts the focus from a question to a point, emphasizing its minimal impact on the overall discussion.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tiny question" to introduce a minor inquiry, for example: "I just have "a tiny question" about the deadline."

What's a more formal alternative to "a tiny question"?

For a more formal setting, consider using phrases like "a minor query", or "a small matter for consideration".

Is it appropriate to use "a tiny question" in professional emails?

It can be appropriate if you genuinely believe the question is minor and won't take much time. However, be mindful of potentially downplaying important issues. Consider rephrasing to something like, "I had "a quick question" about..."

What can I say instead of "a tiny question" to sound more confident?

Try phrases like "I wanted to clarify...", or "I was wondering..." to sound more direct and confident while still being polite.