a tiny step

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tiny step" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small action or progress made towards a goal or objective. Example: "Taking a tiny step towards my fitness goals, I decided to walk for 10 minutes every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Each was a tiny step in a better direction.

The New York Times

In this case, the government took a tiny step back.

The New York Times

Eliminating the statistic is a tiny step toward sanity.

The New York Times

There's a tiny step from there to a Great Firewall, Chinese-style.

The Guardian

Each assignment, each quiz, each test is a tiny step along the way - to where?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

SCOT and other self-service checkouts are only a tiny step in this direction.

The New York Times - Tech

Don't be afraid; take a tiny step and release your works electronically.

The New York Times

Horton took a tiny step on the landing that might have cost him first place.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is a tiny step for India, we want to take it confidently and without falling," Mr. Phatak said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

For example, a tiny step-counter clipped to the waistband can let a walker keep track of how many steps he has taken and can encourage easy changes like getting off the bus one stop early or using the stairs instead of the elevator.

The New York Times

However for a culture consumed by debt -- there was $2.5 trillion total outstanding consumer credit in the United States in April, according to the Federal Reserve -- these kinds of apps and programs could be a tiny steps in the right direction to make saving more prevalent.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tiny step" to acknowledge progress when the advancement is small but still meaningful. This can be particularly useful in contexts where expectations are high or progress is slow.

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny step" when the progress is actually substantial. Overusing the phrase can diminish the impact of real achievements and create a sense of understatement where it's not warranted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny step" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it being used to describe incremental progress or action toward a larger goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

18%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a tiny step" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a small but meaningful advancement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to slightly informal register. The phrase serves to acknowledge incremental progress, often with an implication that more significant changes are needed. While the phrase is widely applicable, it is important to ensure that its use accurately reflects the scale of the progress being described, avoiding understatement when the advancement is substantial. Alternatives include "a small increment" or "a slight advance", offering nuanced options for conveying the nature of the progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a baby step

Draws an analogy to the initial stages of learning to walk, suggesting a very early stage of progress.

a little advance

Focuses on the small amount of progress made.

a slight advance

Highlights forward progress, but to a minimal degree.

a minimal change

Highlights the lack of a significant difference before and after.

a small increment

Focuses on the size of the change as a numerical advancement.

a marginal improvement

Indicates that the improvement is barely noticeable.

a minor adjustment

Emphasizes the act of making a slight correction or change.

a modest move

Stresses the humility and smallness of the action taken.

an insignificant development

Underscores the lack of importance in the progression.

a nominal progression

Suggests that the change is more in name than in reality.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tiny step" to describe a small but significant action or advancement, such as, "The new policy is "a tiny step" towards environmental sustainability".

What are some alternatives to saying "a tiny step"?

Some alternatives to "a tiny step" include "a small increment", "a minor adjustment", or "a slight advance". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to describe progress as "a tiny step"?

Describing progress as "a tiny step" is most appropriate when the advancement is genuinely small or incremental. Avoid using it when the progress is significant, as it may downplay the achievement.

What's the difference between "a tiny step" and "a giant leap"?

"A tiny step" refers to a small, incremental advancement, while "a giant leap" describes a significant breakthrough or major progress. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of the scale of achievement.