in the small time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the small time" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used to refer to a brief period, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "In the small time I had before the meeting, I managed to finish the report."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In the woods behind the rock, Thoreau had scooped up arrowheads and the young Louisa May Alcott had run free, in the small time allotted her for happiness in her difficult life.

The New Yorker

Using weighted Sobolev space techniques and noticing the gauge invariance of the perturbation, I show that the magnetic field first appears at a higher term in the small time asymptotic expansion of the trace of the heat kernel than might be naively expected.

Journal of Functional Analysis

You saw that in the small time he was on.

BBC

Politics is a dirty business, from the big time in Washington to the medium time in Sacramento and Los Angeles, even in the small time in suburbia.

Los Angeles Times

The 625 nm and 700 nm kinetic traces thus reveal secondary dynamics at >100 ps that were not resolved in the small time windows of previous studies.

Biochemistry

For example, "How much more [are] the dentists here going to expand the examination?" "It's like the idea.... is to put more responsibility on the dentist... in the small time frame we have.

BMC Oral Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The mainstay of the AAM is bringing the patient inside a hospital to provide definite care in the smallest time interval.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

Well, sorry, but he is still in the small-time.

The Guardian - Sport

Harlow creates mayhem in the small-time burg, then moves on to commit more mayhem with a tycoon in New York.

The New York Times - Arts

You know what that means: fast-talking, hard-driving, foulmouthed men like the real estate agents in "Glengarry Glen Ross," the small-time crooks in "American Buffalo" and the Hollywood types in "Speed-the-Plow".

The New York Times

In the latter case, a clock is introduced which counts the smallest time step in the system.

Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you intend to convey small scale or amateur status, consider using "small-time" as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., "small-time crook") for clarity and conciseness.

Common error

Avoid using "in the small time" when simpler and more direct alternatives exist. The phrase can sound awkward and may not clearly convey your intended meaning. Opt for phrases that are more readily understood by your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the small time" functions as a prepositional phrase, often indicating a limited duration or, less frequently, referencing small-scale or amateur contexts. As Ludwig suggests, it can be replaced by simpler alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the small time" is a prepositional phrase that functions to indicate a short duration or a small-scale context. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not commonly used, and simpler alternatives often provide greater clarity. Its usage is infrequent across various source types and it's best to replace it with alternatives like "in a short time" or the compound adjective "small-time" where applicable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the short term

Focuses on a limited duration, similar to the idea of "small time".

in a brief period

Highlights the brevity of the duration being referenced.

within a limited timeframe

Emphasizes the restriction of the time available.

in a little while

Suggests a short duration, often in the near future.

in the immediate future

Stresses the closeness of the time being discussed.

in a matter of moments

Emphasizes the speed with which something will occur.

in quick succession

Highlights the rapid sequence of events occurring.

momentarily

Indicates something happening very soon.

for a fleeting instant

Highlights how short and brief that period could be.

during a small window of opportunity

Highlights the need to take advantage of this very specific short period of time.

FAQs

What does "in the small time" mean?

The phrase "in the small time" can refer to a brief period or, less commonly, to a context involving small-scale or amateur activities. However, it's often clearer to use alternatives like "in a short time" or "small-time" depending on the intended meaning.

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

While grammatically correct, "in the small time" is not frequently used. It is preferable to use more common alternatives. For a brief period, consider /s/in+a+short+time or /s/briefly. To indicate small scale or amateur status, use /s/small-time before the relevant noun.

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

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

Is "in the small time" formal or informal?

The phrase "in the small time" is neither particularly formal nor informal, but it is less common in formal writing. Using more standard phrases like "in the short term" or "briefly" is generally preferable in formal contexts.