small contract

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small contract" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a contract that is limited in scope, duration, or financial value. Example: "We signed a small contract with the local vendor for office supplies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

But he completed his last, small contract in December.

The New York Times

The rival bidders for the admittedly small contract were Oracle and Peoplesoft.

The Economist

If a business is just starting out, why not work with them on a small contract?

The Guardian - Opinion

Impressed with its aviation work, a selection committee awarded DynCorp a small contract.

The New York Times

After a few years, it landed a small contract with Caterpillar, which has since become one of its biggest customers.

The New York Times

In September, it ended a small contract with a California firm that supplies scientists with the tissue.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Perez ran a small contracting business near Pontiac, installing carpets.

The New Yorker

Previously, senior officials could agree small contracts without approval.

The Guardian

"It doesn't matter that Taktak is a small field or these are small contracts.

The New York Times

They said, however, that they might not know of very small contracts.

The New York Times

We also have a couple of other small contracts to provide ongoing advice and support.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small contract" to differentiate between introductory projects and larger, more established agreements.

Common error

Avoid using "small contract" repetitively if the size isn't the most relevant factor. Instead, focus on the contract's specifics, like its deliverables or strategic importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small contract" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "contract". It describes the size, scope, or value of an agreement. Ludwig shows numerous examples from reputable sources using this construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small contract" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe an agreement of limited scope, value, or duration. According to Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in news, business, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "minor contract" or "modest contract" exist, "small contract" provides a clear and generally accepted way to communicate the scale of a project or agreement, offering versatility across different professional spheres. Therefore, remember to use the term when the size is relevant, otherwise, focus on the contract's specifics, such as deliverables or strategic importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor contract

Replaces "small" with "minor", suggesting a contract of lesser significance or value.

limited contract

Emphasizes the restricted scope or terms of the contract.

modest contract

Highlights the moderate or unremarkable financial value of the contract.

short-term contract

Focuses on the contract's brief duration.

insignificant contract

Implies that the contract is not important or impactful.

tiny contract

Uses "tiny" to denote a contract of very small size or value.

petite contract

Employs "petite" to suggest a contract that is delicately or charmingly small.

minimal contract

Stresses the bare minimum requirements or scope of the agreement.

reduced contract

Suggests a contract that has been made smaller or less comprehensive.

compact contract

Highlights the streamlined or condensed nature of the contract.

FAQs

How can I use "small contract" in a sentence?

You can say, "The company started with a "small contract" to supply local businesses" or "After a few years, it landed a "small contract" with Caterpillar, which has since become one of its biggest customers".

What can I say instead of "small contract"?

You can use alternatives like "minor contract", "limited contract", or "modest contract" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "small contract" or "tiny contract"?

"Small contract" is generally more common and professional, while "tiny contract" might be suitable in more informal settings where you want to emphasize the extremely limited scale of the agreement.

What's the difference between "small contract" and "short-term contract"?

A ""small contract"" implies that the contract has a limited scope or value, while a "short-term contract" emphasizes the duration of the contract.