small fine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small fine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor monetary penalty or charge imposed for a violation or infraction. Example: "After the inspection, the company was issued a small fine for not adhering to safety regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

A small fine can be imposed for not voting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hals paid a small fine but kept the assistant.

The New Yorker

It's a small, fine film without a false note.

The New York Times

Before the change, harraga usually got a small fine.

The New York Times

I paid a small fine and was released".

The Guardian - Sport

The Thoroughbred has a small fine head, a deep chest, and a straight back.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Baxter was small, fine-featured, red-headed, and elegant.

The New Yorker

Pass confectioners' sugar through a small fine-meshed sieve evenly over baci.

The New York Times - Food

He was a small, fine-boned man with a high-bridged nose, unsmiling, his eyes quick and clear.

The New Yorker

We initially identified nearly 6000 small (fine-scale) hydrologic facets using standard GIS processing algorithms.

Remote Sensing of Environment

Find a small, fine-pointed pen.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "small fine", ensure the context clearly indicates the violation or infraction that led to the fine. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the significance of a "small fine". If the penalty is truly minor, accurately represent it as such, rather than implying it has a substantial impact or deterrent effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small fine" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "small" is an adjective modifying the noun "fine". It is used to describe the size or severity of a monetary penalty. Examples from Ludwig show its usage across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small fine" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes a minor monetary penalty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news articles, encyclopedias, and other sources. While the phrase itself is straightforward, it's important to consider the context in which it's used, ensuring that it accurately reflects the relative impact (or lack thereof) of the fine. Alternatives such as "minor penalty" or "modest fine" can provide slightly different shades of meaning, allowing for greater precision in writing. Overall, "small fine" is a versatile and widely understood term for describing a light financial punishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor penalty

Replaces "fine" with "penalty", offering a slightly more general term for a punishment.

negligible fine

Emphasizes the insignificance of the fine's amount.

modest fine

Uses "modest" to describe the size of the fine, suggesting it is reasonable and not excessive.

nominal fine

Indicates that the fine is very low, existing more in name than in practical effect.

light penalty

Replaces "fine" with "penalty" and "small" with "light", indicating a less severe punishment.

minimal sanction

Substitutes both words with synonyms implying a lenient consequence.

petty fine

Highlights the trivial nature of the fine.

slight fine

Uses "slight" to indicate the small degree of the fine.

token fine

Suggests the fine is symbolic rather than substantial.

reduced penalty

Indicates that the penalty has been decreased or is less than it could have been.

FAQs

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

You can use "small fine" to describe a minor monetary penalty for an infraction. For instance: "The company received a "small fine" for the safety violation."

What are some alternatives to "small fine"?

Alternatives include "minor penalty", "negligible fine", or "modest fine", each conveying a similar meaning of a not-significant monetary charge.

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

Yes, "small fine" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in legal or business contexts when describing penalties. However, ensure the tone remains objective and factual.

What's the difference between "small fine" and "large fine"?

"Small fine" refers to a minor monetary penalty, while "large fine" indicates a substantial monetary penalty. The appropriate term depends on the actual amount and the context of the violation.