small emergency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small emergency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor or less serious situation that requires immediate attention or action. Example: "I had a small emergency when my car wouldn't start, but thankfully I was able to call for help quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

From the vantage point of a bed in a small emergency room here, I watched the emergence of the Jets' future, and perhaps their salvation: quarterback Kellen Clemens.

The New York Times - Sports

The small emergency room was crowded with those seeking word.

The New York Times

However, he managed to give his father the slip, and stole yet another small emergency vehicle.

The Guardian

The Refugee Survival Trust provides small emergency grants to asylum seekers facing immediate destitution.

The Guardian

Many universities also provide small emergency loans or hardship grants for students in need.

Independent

The Human Ecology Alumni Association provides small emergency grants to students in the college who have unexpected financial problems.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

contingency planning and regional surge response capacity): WCARO will continue to reinforce regional- and country-level capacity in the areas of emergency preparedness and response in small-scale emergency contexts.

Unicef

Spends more time responding to small emergencies than seeking to prevent them.

Harvard Business Review

And for the resident caring for the bowel-surgery patient a resident who had been occupied all day with small emergencies and urgent paperwork the to-do item he had not yet completed was "Pull abdominal drain".

The New Yorker

— May 13 , 1991________ From "Playing with Dynamite" He often felt now, going through the motions of living — shaving, dressing, responding to questions, measuring up to small emergencies — that he was enacting a part in a play at the end of its run, while mentally rehearsing his lines in the next play to be put on.

The New Yorker

— May 13 , 1991From "Playing with Dynamite" He often felt now, going through the motions of living — shaving, dressing, responding to questions, measuring up to small emergencies — that he was enacting a part in a play at the end of its run, while mentally rehearsing his lines in the next play to be put on.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small emergency" when you want to downplay the severity of a situation while still acknowledging the need for prompt attention. It's effective in contexts where you want to reassure someone that the issue is under control.

Common error

While "small emergency" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal or official reports where a more precise and professional term might be more appropriate, such as "minor incident" or "manageable issue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small emergency" functions as a noun phrase where "small" modifies the noun "emergency". According to Ludwig AI, it describes a situation requiring immediate attention, but of limited scale or severity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

28%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Academia

12%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small emergency" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a minor issue needing immediate attention. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While it appears most frequently in news and media and formal business contexts, it can also be found in academic and general writing. When using "small emergency", remember to consider your audience and choose alternative phrasing, like "minor incident" or "manageable issue", if a more formal tone is required. Be strategic in using this phrase to convey the necessary level of concern without causing unnecessary alarm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Minor crisis

Emphasizes the manageable scale of the situation.

Little problem

Simple and direct way to express a minor issue.

Minor urgency

Highlights the need for quick action on a smaller scale.

Slight predicament

Implies a difficult situation that is not serious.

Small setback

Focuses on the temporary hindrance caused by the event.

Petty trouble

Highlights the insignificance of the problem.

Manageable issue

Stresses the capability to handle the situation effectively.

Limited disruption

Emphasizes the minimal impact of the event on normal operations.

Insignificant mishap

Focuses on the accidental and unimportant nature of the event.

Trivial incident

Indicates that the event is of little consequence.

FAQs

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

You might say, "We had a "small emergency" when the printer ran out of ink right before the presentation, but we managed to resolve it quickly."

What's a good alternative to "small emergency"?

Consider using phrases like "minor crisis", "little problem", or "slight predicament" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "small emergency" too informal for professional communication?

While generally acceptable, in very formal or critical business contexts, opting for phrases like "minor incident" or "manageable issue" can ensure a more professional tone.

What kind of situations qualify as a "small emergency"?

A ""small emergency"" typically involves unexpected but non-life-threatening situations, such as a sudden power outage, a minor technical glitch, or a last-minute scheduling conflict.