a very small parcel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very small parcel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the size of a package or item that is notably tiny. Example: "I received a very small parcel in the mail today, and I was surprised by how little it was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What a very small parcel it was!

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A very small portion.

The Guardian - Books

A: Very small quantities, and we stopped.

Science Magazine

"Look at a map, a lot of First Nations across the country are on these very small parcels of land," he says.

Vice

Relatively large positional errors in the parcel centroid locations are limited to a very small number of addresses, as indicated by the 99th percentile of 47 meters.

BMC Public Health

A very small offset places the geocoded location very close to the street and therefore inevitably at some distance from the parcel centroid, while a larger offset potentially places the street geocoded location closer to the parcel centroid.

BMC Public Health

A very small college.

The New Yorker

A very small, wealthy minority.

The New York Times

A very small one.

The Guardian

A very small shape, like a cloud.

The New Yorker

A very small part, to be sure.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a very small parcel", ensure the context clarifies why the size is significant. Is it surprisingly small, or is the size relevant to the story?

Common error

Avoid using "a very small parcel" when the parcel's size isn't genuinely relevant. Overusing intensifiers can dilute their impact. Simply use "small parcel" if the size isn't remarkably tiny.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very small parcel" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It modifies the noun "parcel" with the adjectives "very" and "small", providing information about its size. As shown in Ludwig, this structure is used to indicate that a package is notably smaller than usual.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

The Guardian - Books

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a very small parcel" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a package of notably diminutive size. While considered rare in occurrence, as indicated by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts from news and media to scientific discourse. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability in written English. When employing this phrase, consider whether the emphasis on size is truly relevant to the context. Alternatives like "tiny package" or "miniature bundle" can offer nuanced ways to express the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny package

Replaces "small parcel" with "tiny package", emphasizing the diminutive size.

a little packet

Replaces "parcel" with "packet", a common alternative with a slightly more informal tone.

a miniature bundle

Substitutes "small parcel" with "miniature bundle", suggesting something exceptionally small and neatly wrapped.

a diminutive parcel

Uses "diminutive" to formally express that the parcel is very small.

a minuscule package

Uses "minuscule" to indicate an extremely small size, more formal than "tiny".

a petite parcel

Borrowing from French, "petite" emphasizes the daintiness of the parcel.

a compact package

Emphasizes the neatness and reduced dimensions of the package.

a wee package

Uses "wee" to describe the size of the package, giving it a slightly informal and endearing feel.

a trifling shipment

Replaces "small parcel" with "trifling shipment", highlighting the insignificance of the item being sent.

a negligible consignment

Highlights the consignment's unimportance due to its smallness.

FAQs

What does "a very small parcel" mean?

The phrase "a very small parcel" describes a package or item that is notably tiny in size. It implies the item is significantly smaller than a typical parcel.

What can I say instead of "a very small parcel"?

You can use alternatives like "a tiny package", "a miniature bundle", or "a compact package" depending on the context.

How do I use "a very small parcel" in a sentence?

You might say, "I received "a very small parcel" in the mail today, and I was surprised by how little it was". Ensure the context supports emphasizing the item's small size.

Is it redundant to say "a very small parcel"?

While "small parcel" is sufficient, adding "very" emphasizes the diminutive size. Use "a very small parcel" when you want to specifically highlight the item's tininess.