small fee

USAGE SUMMARY

"small fee" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a relatively small amount of money required to pay for something, such as a service or transaction. For example, "The attorney charges a small fee for her services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Shea pays the man a small fee.

The New York Times

I employed her for a small fee.

The Guardian - Tech

Direct Star gets a small fee.

The New York Times

"We charge member museums a small fee".

The New York Times - Arts

Downloads are available for a small fee.

Stanford University

Each SlideRoom submission incurs a small fee.

Princeton University

The shopkeeper will charge a small fee for the service.

The Economist

Each shopkeeper would earn a small fee from each transaction.

The New York Times

(Figment charges a small fee to publishers for the privilege).

The New York Times - Books

Other services are available for a small fee.

The New York Times - Tech

Both charge a small fee to start service.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small fee" when you want to emphasize that a charge is relatively insignificant or not burdensome. It's appropriate in contexts where affordability or cost is a key consideration.

Common error

While "small fee" is widely understood, be mindful of your audience. In highly formal or professional settings, consider using alternatives like "modest charge" or "minimal cost" to maintain a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small fee" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "fee". It typically serves as an object in a sentence, indicating what is being charged or paid. Ludwig AI confirms this through the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small fee" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes a minor cost. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals its prevalence across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia and Wiki. While generally neutral, it's important to consider the formality of your setting and choose alternatives like "modest charge" if needed. Keep in mind that the core purpose is to convey affordability and accessibility. When aiming to be more precise you can use alternatives like "minimal fee" or "nominal fee" in order to communicate a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modest fee

Replaces 'small' with 'modest', suggesting a reasonable and not excessive cost.

minimal fee

Replaces 'small' with 'minimal', emphasizing the insignificance of the cost.

low fee

Uses 'low' instead of 'small', directly indicating the fee's size.

tiny fee

Replaces 'small' with 'tiny', further emphasizing the insignificance of the cost.

minor fee

Uses 'minor' instead of 'small', highlighting the fee's unimportance or insignificance.

nominal fee

Indicates that the fee is charged but is very low, often just symbolic.

reduced fee

Implies that the fee was previously higher but has been lowered.

reasonable fee

Indicates the fee is fair and justified for the service provided.

affordable fee

Highlights that the fee is within the financial means of most people.

token charge

Suggests the fee is symbolic and not intended to cover the full cost.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "small fee"?

You can use alternatives like "modest fee", "minimal fee", or "low fee" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "small fee" in formal writing?

Yes, but consider your audience. While grammatically correct and widely understood, a more formal term like "modest charge" or "nominal fee" might be more suitable in certain professional contexts.

How does "small fee" differ from "large fee"?

"Small fee" indicates a minor cost, implying affordability or insignificance. A "large fee", on the other hand, suggests a significant expense that may be a barrier for some.

In what situations is it best to use "small fee"?

Use "small fee" when you want to reassure someone that a charge is not substantial or when comparing it to a potentially higher cost. It's useful for highlighting affordability and accessibility.