a tiny royalty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tiny royalty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or minor royal figure, or metaphorically to refer to someone with a small amount of influence or status. Example: "In the world of indie music, she is considered a tiny royalty, admired by her fans for her unique sound and style."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Does the leather love god ever wonder why he gets a tiny royalty cheque from the Potteries every fortnight?

The Guardian - Sport

For many music publishers and artists, even a large slice of such a tiny royalty pie is barely worth the administrative costs of issuing a license.

The New York Times

In his economy of compensation, if 30 years later another young couple is paired up using some of the statistical data supplied by the first couple's compatibility, then the latter should receive a tiny royalty payment for the use of this information.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

According to Elkabas, many makers of less mainstream dance music currently receive such tiny royalties from PRS that those who are not members deem even the one-off joining fee of £30 too high to bother.

The Guardian

The decision to count streaming data could be controversial among many artists who have accused Spotify and other streaming services of exploiting their music and paying them tiny royalties in return.

The Guardian - Music

Geoff Travis at the Rough Trade record label secured his release from the huge debts and tiny royalties saddled on him by Richard Branson at Virgin, and, for the first time, he felt a degree of emancipation from a music industry that he felt had exploited him from the beginning.

The Guardian - Music

Smarter heads within the music industry (and beyond) are starting to wonder whether the real problem is with online advertising itself: that if a big increase in YouTube streams only yields a tiny increase in royalties, perhaps that's a sign that as viewing rockets, even Google-backed YouTube is struggling to sell enough ads and keep the rates up.

The Guardian - Tech

However, it had negotiated deals with the major labels to not pay rights holders royalties during these trials and instead pay a tiny bit more in royalty rates afterwards.

TechCrunch

Hannah, who was at this moment about to spend only a tiny fraction of her recent royalty cheque on a pair of Acne suede jeans, had been luckier.

The Guardian - Books

In a tiny room where the walls are covered with his art, Nelson Seda, Chief 69 and founder of the Floor Royalty Crew, spun and popped, dipped and darted, gloriously and happily.

The New York Times

The White House says that the money will come from growth in royalties from leases on offshore oil and gas fields over the next decade, and that it represents a tiny fraction of the overall federal research and development budget.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing earnings or payments, use "a tiny royalty" to emphasize the unexpectedly small amount received, often in contrast to the effort or investment made. For example, "Despite the song's popularity, the artist received only "a tiny royalty" from streaming services."

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny royalty" when the amount is actually substantial or reasonable. This phrase is most effective when highlighting a disparity between expected and actual earnings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny royalty" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "tiny" modifies the noun "royalty". Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. It describes a payment that is very small.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tiny royalty" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an exceptionally small royalty payment. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively rare, primarily appearing in News & Media contexts. Its purpose is to emphasize the insignificance of the payment, often conveying disappointment. Related phrases include "a minor royal" and "a negligible fee", offering similar connotations. Remember to use this phrase when you want to highlight the disparity between expected and actual earnings. When a greater emphasis on smallness is required, "a tiny royalty" is an adequate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor royal

Emphasizes the low rank or importance within a royal family.

a negligible fee

Highlights the insignificance of the amount of money involved.

an insignificant payment

Focuses on the lack of importance or value of the payment.

a minuscule commission

Stresses the extremely small size of the commission.

a paltry sum

Implies that the amount is not only small but also contemptible.

a fractional return

Highlights that what is gained back is only a small part of the whole.

a trifling amount

Indicates that the sum is so small it is not worth considering.

a nominal compensation

Suggests that the payment is merely symbolic.

a slim percentage

Emphasizes the low portion or share being received.

a marginal profit

Focuses on the small and barely sufficient gain made.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tiny royalty" to describe a very small payment received, often in the context of creative works or intellectual property. For example, "The author was disappointed to receive "a tiny royalty" from the book's digital sales."

What's a more common way to say "a tiny royalty"?

While "a tiny royalty" is grammatically correct, you might consider using phrases like "a small royalty" or "a negligible fee" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever appropriate to use "a tiny royalty" in a formal setting?

Yes, it's appropriate as long as the context involves payments and the intention is to emphasize the smallness of the amount. However, consider the audience and whether a more precise term might be preferable.

Which is correct, "a tiny royalty" or "a small royalty"?

Both "a tiny royalty" and "a small royalty" are grammatically correct. "A tiny royalty" emphasizes the insignificance of the payment even more than "a small royalty".