for a small fee

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'for a small fee' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate that a service or product may be obtained for a minimal cost. Example: John offered to tutor the students in math for a small fee.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I employed her for a small fee.

The Guardian - Tech

Downloads are available for a small fee.

Stanford University

Local fishermen will take you there for a small fee.

The Guardian - Travel

Other services are available for a small fee.

The New York Times - Tech

Photographers can make appointments to visit for a small fee.

The Guardian

The city sets no limits and issues around 300 permits a year, for a small fee.

The Economist

Nurses handle simple ailments for a small fee or direct sicker patients to a doctor.

The Economist

For a small fee, the store will handle alterations on off-the-rack items.

The New York Times

Hosting and computing power was available, for a small fee, via the internet.

The Economist

For a small fee they can be programmed to speak French and pontificate on Faust too.

The New York Times

For a small fee, customers can make calls, send texts and access the internet anonymously.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for a small fee", ensure the cost is indeed perceived as minimal by the target audience. Consider cultural and economic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "for a small fee" when the actual cost is significant. Misrepresenting the fee's size can damage credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a small fee" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the condition under which something is available or can be done. It introduces the element of cost associated with a particular service or item, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Academia

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for a small fee" is a commonly used and grammatically correct prepositional phrase that indicates something is available in exchange for a minimal payment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business domains, conveying affordability. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the 'small' fee aligns with audience perception to maintain credibility. Alternatives like "for a nominal charge" or "at a minimal cost" can provide nuanced variations. The phrase is best used when communicating the availability of a service or product in exchange for a minimal payment. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ the phrase, solidifying its legitimacy in diverse writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a nominal charge

Replaces "fee" with "charge" and uses "nominal" to emphasize the low cost.

at a minimal cost

Emphasizes the low cost directly using "minimal" instead of implying it with "small fee".

for a modest price

Substitutes "fee" with "price" and "small" with "modest", suggesting affordability.

for a slight surcharge

Uses "surcharge" to imply an additional small cost on top of something else.

with a small payment

Focuses on the act of paying a small amount, replacing "fee" with "payment".

subject to a minor fee

Introduces a more formal tone, indicating the fee is a requirement.

available at a bargain price

Highlights the advantageous cost for the customer, implying a good deal.

for a trifling sum

Uses more emphatic language to stress how insignificant the payment is.

in exchange for a token fee

Indicates that the fee is symbolic and not meant to be a significant burden.

costing very little

Simplifies the phrase to directly state the low cost without mentioning a specific fee.

FAQs

How can I use "for a small fee" in a sentence?

Use "for a small fee" to indicate that a service or product is available at a minimal cost. For example, "You can access premium features "for a small fee"".

What are some alternatives to "for a small fee"?

Alternatives include "for a nominal charge", "at a minimal cost", or "for a modest price", all indicating a low cost.

Is it appropriate to use "for a small fee" in formal writing?

Yes, "for a small fee" is generally acceptable, but using more formal alternatives like "subject to a minor fee" might be more suitable for highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "for a small fee" and "free of charge"?

"For a small fee" implies a minimal cost, while "free of charge" indicates there is no cost involved. They are opposites; for example, something might be free initially, but extended use comes "for a small fee".