in a small time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a small time" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used to refer to a short duration or brief period, but a more standard expression would be preferable. Example: "You can achieve great results in a small time if you stay focused and dedicated."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Even when we receive [fresh supplies], they are depleted in a small time".

The Guardian

In a small time period ( left[ {t,t + Delta t} right) ), there are some conclusions.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

The cost function of this RBM2 achieves the global minima in a small time with only few training data.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

The DFRFT-based method approximates the nonstationary signal by a chirp signal in a small time window.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Even very popular venues in location-based services will have only a handful of check-ins observed in a small time window.

EPJ Data Science

The spike triggered averages (STA) are obtained by averaging many time-varying stimuli in a small time window preceding every spiking event [24].

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

When watching The Office you used to feel like a voyeur looking in on a small time paper company that could be anywhere in the world with employees that could be anyone in the world.

Huffington Post

"In Israel, it's much harder to create such a big tech team in such a small time — the competition for talent is really hard," Magazinik told me.

The New Yorker

But in reality it was a small time arrest that netted five students for selling drugs on their school campus.

Huffington Post

In a smaller time period, Apple has sold more than half a billion iOS devices, including more than 100 million iPads.

TechCrunch

Consequently, the complexity of network will be decreased and in this case, finding the global minima in a smaller time would be much easier.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for more common and direct alternatives like "in a short time" or "briefly" to enhance clarity and readability.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using the phrase "in a small time" too often can make your writing sound unnatural. Vary your phrasing by using more conventional alternatives to maintain a smooth and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a small time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration of an action or state. Ludwig shows that it is often used to specify the temporal aspect of an event.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a small time" is grammatically acceptable although the Ludwig AI advises using more common alternatives for improved clarity. This phrase functions as an adverbial phrase, emphasizing brevity, and is frequently encountered in scientific and news-related contexts. While not inherently formal or informal, neutral language is usually preferred. For enhanced readability and a more natural tone, consider using alternatives such as "in a short time" or "briefly". This ensures your writing remains both precise and engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a short time

Replaces "small" with "short" for a more common expression of a brief duration.

briefly

A concise adverb meaning for a short duration.

in a little time

Substitutes "small" with "little", offering a slightly less formal alternative.

in a quick time

Uses "quick" to emphasize the speed involved.

soon

A simple adverb denoting near future.

shortly

Similar to 'soon', but often implies a more immediate timeframe.

in a limited time

Highlights that the duration is restricted or finite.

in a reduced time

Emphasizes the aspect of the time having been shortened or diminished.

within a brief period

Emphasizes a limited duration within a specified timeframe.

quickly

Focuses on the speed and promptness of the action.

FAQs

What does "in a small time" mean?

The phrase "in a small time" means within a short duration or period. However, it's often more natural to say "in a short time" or use a word like "briefly".

What can I say instead of "in a small time"?

You can use alternatives like "in a short time", "briefly", "soon", or "shortly" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "in a small time" or "in a short time"?

Both "in a small time" and "in a short time" are grammatically correct, but "in a short time" is more commonly used and sounds more natural to most native English speakers.

Is "in a small time" formal or informal?

The phrase "in a small time" doesn't carry a strong connotation of formality or informality but may come across as slightly less polished than alternatives like "briefly" or "in a short time".