for the smallest time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for the smallest time" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize a very brief duration, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "He only stayed for the smallest time before leaving the party."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Genes were only counted once per reference time point for the smallest time delta in which it appeared.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

For the dissolution time, the width of the error distribution for the smallest time-step parameter adopted, varies from 60 to 100 crossing times.

Computational Astrophysics and Cosmology

For ALOS and ALOS-2, long durations were selected to account for the small time changes.

Earth, Planets and Space

To prove the uniqueness of the optimality system, we use a simple lemma for the small time interval.

Advances in Difference Equations

It is seen that the influence of h on the time discretization error is small for the larger time steps but more noticeable for the smaller time steps when the time and space discretization errors are of the same order.

Boundary Value Problems

While an overall trend is clear across lengths, this is not strict, especially for the small time constants.

Plosone

For the small-time olive growers and appreciators who live around here, though, the difference is probably mostly theological.

The New York Times

The latter role went to Amanda Plummer, who was always Tarantino's first choice, with Tim Roth also his first choice for the small-time thief's partner in crime, Pumpkin.

The Guardian - Film

Harry encounters similar landscapes of neglect and decay as he works his way through other seaside towns looking for the small-time dealer who stiffed Harry's best friend on the drug deal they negotiated with an unforgiving racketeer named Eddie Fallon.

The New York Times - Books

Perversely, Liam shows pride in a job well done; he glows with accomplishment while tending to the dope he has stolen from his grandfather, who works with Stan, or when doing jobs for the small-time crime boss who dotes on him.

The New York Times

But, for the small-time businesspeople who are more focused on their craft, this could be valuable advice.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for the smallest time", ensure the context emphasizes a duration so minimal it's almost negligible. This highlights the brevity and can add emphasis to a situation's urgency or fleeting nature.

Common error

Avoid using "for the smallest time" when simpler phrases like "briefly" or "momentarily" would suffice. The phrase can sound overly formal or awkward in casual contexts. Choose the clearest, most concise option.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for the smallest time" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the duration of an action or state, emphasizing its minimal length. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase, although grammatically sound, is not commonly used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for the smallest time" is a grammatically correct, yet uncommon, prepositional phrase used to emphasize the minimal duration of an action or state. While correct, Ludwig AI suggests it can often be replaced by simpler, more frequently used alternatives like "briefly" or "momentarily". Its rarity might make it sound somewhat awkward in casual conversation, making it best suited for contexts where emphasis on brevity is desired and a degree of formality is acceptable. The phrase sees limited use across news, scientific, and business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the briefest moment

Emphasizes the extremely short duration of the time.

for the shortest duration

Focuses on the limited length of the time period.

for a fleeting instant

Highlights the quick and transient nature of the time.

in the shortest possible time

Stresses efficiency and speed in completing an action.

for a split second

Emphasizes the extremely short duration, almost instantaneous.

for a little while

Indicates a short but indefinite period.

for a short time

Simply indicates a brief period of time without strong emphasis.

momentarily

Expresses something happening briefly or for a moment.

briefly

Indicates a concise or short duration.

for a tiny period

Uses "tiny" instead of "smallest" to indicate minimal duration.

FAQs

How can I use "for the smallest time" in a sentence?

You can use "for the smallest time" to emphasize an extremely brief duration. For example: "He only stayed "for the smallest time" before leaving the party."

What are some alternatives to "for the smallest time"?

You can use alternatives like "for a brief moment", "for the shortest duration", or "briefly" depending on the context.

Is "for the smallest time" grammatically correct?

Yes, "for the smallest time" is grammatically correct, but it's not a common expression. More common phrases like "for a short time" or "briefly" are often preferred.

When is it appropriate to use "for the smallest time"?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize that something occurs during an extremely short or negligible period, and when formality is acceptable. A simpler alternative may be more appropriate if the context is informal.