small foul

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'small foul' is not grammatically correct.
In written English, you can use 'foul' as an adjective, but not 'small'. If you are referring to a small act that is morally wrong, you can use the phrase 'petty crime' or 'minor offense'. For example: He committed a petty crime, not a major offense.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Applied Water Science

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In response to Japan's water pollution problem, a low-cost performance system that uses natural materials to treat small foul water outlets or polluted streams was developed.

Applied Water Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They lived in ghettoes, working and sleeping in small foul-smelling tanneries.

The Guardian

So each morning, people rise before the sun and stumble from their huts, beneath the arching canopy of a starry sky, to fill metal pails with the small, foul-smelling hacha fruit.

The New York Times

Watch the video above for 23 seconds of pure, small, foul-mouthed hilarity.

Huffington Post

Even so, there may be practical reasons why even a small dose of foul weather can ruin a New Yorker's day.

The New York Times

The title character, an art professor at a small college, falls foul of a midlife crisis that spurs him to leave home, then fall in love with a woman who turns out to be the object of his best student's affections.

The New York Times - Books

The protagonist, an art professor at a small college, falls foul of a midlife crisis that spurs him to leave home, then fall in love with a woman who turns out to be the object of his best student's affections.

The New York Times - Books

He added the current system of tankers pumping relatively small amounts of "foul excess water" into the nearby sewage system was not a long-term solution as "the water coming out of the ground is filling the space just vacated".

BBC

The fact that big banks borrow funds at a cheaper rate relative to their smaller peers has ignited a fierce debate in Washington, as small banks cry foul and policymakers consider tougher rules to end the taxpayer-provided subsidy.

Huffington Post

It may seem like a small thing, a foul-mouthed talk show host breaking free for a moment on a streaming connection.

TechCrunch

Fifty two percent of small businesses have fallen foul of unfair supplier contract terms, according to research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), released on Monday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing minor misdeeds, prefer established terms like "minor offense" or "petty crime" over "small foul" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "small" directly before "foul" as an adjective. Instead, rephrase to describe the nature or impact of the foul, such as "a minor foul" or "an insignificant foul".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small foul" attempts to function as a descriptor, aiming to modify a noun or situation to indicate that something is both minor and objectionable. Ludwig AI confirms that is grammatically incorrect. Examples do show some natural usage nonetheless.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "small foul" appears in some online contexts, it isn't considered grammatically correct in standard English. Ludwig AI highlights this issue, suggesting it's best to opt for alternatives like "minor offense", "petty crime", or more descriptive phrases depending on the intended context. Usage analysis shows its infrequent occurrence across news, science, and wiki sources, further emphasizing the need for caution and opting for recognized grammatical constructs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor offense

Replaces "small foul" with a standard term for a slight transgression.

petty crime

Similar to "minor offense", but specifically refers to a small-scale illegal act.

minor infraction

Similar to minor offense, but more formal and often used in rule-based contexts.

slight imperfection

Focuses on the 'small' aspect, emphasizing a minor flaw or defect.

trifling misdeed

Emphasizes the insignificance of the 'foul' action.

slight blemish

Describing more of an abstract imperfection, something that is only a little bad.

insignificant transgression

Highlights that the 'foul' act is unimportant or negligible.

minor defect

Replaces the moral dimension of "foul" with a more general term for flaws.

technicality

Often refers to a minor violation of rules, more applicable in specific contexts.

venial sin

Replacing the term "foul" with a religious meaning.

FAQs

What are grammatically sound alternatives to "small foul"?

Consider using more established phrases like "minor offense", "petty crime", or "slight imperfection" depending on the intended meaning.

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "small foul"?

While not grammatically standard, "small foul" might appear informally to describe a minor transgression or unpleasant situation, as seen in some online media. For formal writing, avoid the phrase.

Is "small foul" considered proper English?

No, "small foul" isn't considered proper English. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not grammatically correct. More suitable alternatives exist for clear communication.

How can I improve the clarity of my writing when tempted to use "small foul"?

Instead of "small foul", specify the nature of the act or situation. For example, "minor infraction" for rule violations or "slight blemish" for imperfections.