for a small time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a small time" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that was in effect for a temporary or brief amount of time. For example, you could say, "The government imposed a new tax for a small time before it was repealed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The language of a battle in limbo, the warring sides quiet for a small time as duties are performed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Potato battery You can power a tiny clock for a small time by plugging copper and zinc poles into your humble spud.

The Guardian

Longer is not always better: good form maintained for a small time is much better than bad form dragged out for minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For a small time step, each crack is extended in the direction of maximal hoop stress, and by a length set by the kinetic law.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

ACIS data contains a separate GTI for each active CCD (up to 6); however, they are typically nearly identical except for a small time offset due to the how the CCDs are read-out.

Harvard University

It has been shown in the literature that the existence of a stabilizing observer-based controller is related to delay-dependent conditions that are generally satisfied for a small time delay.

Automatica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

For a small time-step parameter ((eta= 2^{-11}), top row in Figure 13), this growth starts after ∼20 crossing times for the initially virialised systems.

Computational Astrophysics and Cosmology

Then for a small time-step δt, (4) P j t + δt = P j * δt 1 − P j t + P j t.

Genetics, Selection, Evolution

For something as valuable as our brains, this is a small time investment for a major payoff.

Forbes

That's quite an achievement for a small-time thug".

The New Yorker

Once an important force in New York elections, the Liberal Party had deteriorated to little more than a political front for a small-time patronage den.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for a small time" when you want to emphasize the temporary nature of a situation, action, or state. It's suitable for describing events that are short-lived or not intended to last long.

Common error

While "for a small time" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or scientific writing. Opt for more precise terms like "briefly" or "for a limited duration" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a small time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the duration of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. For example, "The warring sides quiet for a small time as duties are performed."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for a small time" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate a limited duration. Ludwig AI confirms this, with several examples showing its application across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. While generally neutral in register, it’s advisable to use more precise language in highly formal settings. Alternatives like "briefly" or "for a limited duration" may be more appropriate in those cases. When choosing the best expression for a limited duration you should always prefer more explicit options, like "for a brief period", "for a short duration", or "momentarily".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a brief period

Replaces 'small time' with 'brief period', emphasizing the short duration.

for a short duration

Substitutes 'small time' with 'short duration', highlighting the limited length.

for a limited span

Replaces 'small time' with 'limited span', focusing on the restricted timeframe.

for a restricted time

Replaces 'small' with 'restricted', indicating a limitation on the time available.

for a little while

Replaces 'small time' with 'little while', offering a more casual tone.

for a fleeting moment

Emphasizes the transient nature of the duration.

for a concise interval

Substitutes 'small time' with 'concise interval', stressing brevity and precision.

momentarily

Uses a single adverb to convey the action occurring very briefly.

for a split second

Highlights the extremely short duration.

temporarily

Uses an adverb to indicate something is not permanent.

FAQs

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

You can use "for a small time" to indicate that something lasts only a short while. For example, "The exhibit will be on display "for a small time", so visit soon."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "for a small time"?

Similar phrases include "for a short period", "briefly", or "momentarily". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "for a short time" or "for a small time"?

Both "for a short time" and "for a small time" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. "For a short time" might be slightly more common, but the difference is negligible.

What is the difference between "for a short time" and "for a long time"?

"For a short time" indicates a brief duration, while "for a long time" indicates an extended duration. They are antonyms, representing opposite ends of the temporal spectrum.