small payment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small payment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a payment that is relatively low in amount. Example: "The service requires a small payment to access the premium features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When the crop succeeded, they received a small payment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When readers click or buy, Sugar gets a small payment from the retailer.

The New York Times - Tech

Perhaps Mr. Grasso would have found less animosity had he done exactly that with one relatively small payment.

The New York Times

Every time a library lends an audio book or e-book the copyright holder gets a small payment.

The Guardian

Or they may be asked to fill out a survey that will earn the scammer a small payment.

The New York Times

To pay for it, he's exploring business models beyond the small payment Tykoon gets as an Amazon affiliate.

The New York Times

Suspicions of favouritism had been raised because every default Google search made through Apple's Safari web browser brings in a small payment to Apple from Google.

The Guardian - Tech

She asked Mr. Fishman whether a crack addict, like one of the prosecution's witnesses, Shorn Greene, might lie for even a small payment.

The New York Times

A Channel 4 spokesperson said: "In this instance, a small payment was made additionally to our music blanket agreements for this trailer".

The Guardian

Tino Seghal has placed conceptual "moles" dressed as Tate staff within the galleries who will offer you a small payment in exchange for a discussion about the economy.

The Guardian - Arts

The booksellers would get a small payment on each sale and a commission on all e-books that the reader buys in the next two years.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small payment" to clearly convey that the amount of money being exchanged is relatively low, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, "A "small payment" is required to unlock all features of the app."

Common error

Avoid using "small payment" when you want to emphasize that something has negligible worth. While the monetary amount may be low, it doesn't always translate to the value being insignificant. For instance, a "small payment" to access a life-saving resource doesn't diminish its critical importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small payment" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "payment". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is common and generally accepted in written English. It serves to describe a transaction involving a limited monetary amount.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small payment" is a commonly used and grammatically sound noun phrase that effectively describes a transaction involving a limited monetary amount. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread use. Its primary function is to convey information about cost expectations, often with the intent to reassure that the expense is minimal. While generally neutral in register, the context can influence its perceived formality. It is frequently found in news articles, scientific publications, and formal business correspondence. Keep in mind the intention and nuance when using other options to accurately describe what the writer want to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modest payment

Replaces "small" with "modest", suggesting the payment is reasonable and not excessive.

nominal fee

Focuses on the payment being a symbolic or very low charge.

minor fee

Similar to "nominal fee", emphasizing the insignificance of the payment.

token payment

Highlights that the payment is more symbolic than substantial.

petty cash

Suggests the payment comes from a fund reserved for minor expenses.

tiny sum

Replaces "payment" with "sum", emphasizing the minuscule amount of money involved.

limited compensation

Indicates that the payment is a partial or restricted form of reimbursement.

slight remuneration

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe a small payment for services.

meager reimbursement

Highlights the payment is a limited and potentially inadequate form of repayment.

low settlement

Emphasizes that the payment is an agreed amount to resolve an issue and that this amount is not relevant.

FAQs

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

You can use "small payment" to describe a transaction involving a relatively low amount of money. For example, "A "small payment" is needed to access the premium content."

What are some alternatives to "small payment"?

Alternatives include "modest fee", "nominal charge", or "token payment" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "small payment"?

The phrase "small payment" is generally correct, but be mindful of the context. It should only be used when the payment is genuinely low relative to the typical cost or value. Otherwise, consider more accurate descriptors.

What is the difference between "small payment" and "partial payment"?

"Small payment" refers to the amount, indicating it is a low sum. "Partial payment", on the other hand, refers to the completeness of the payment, implying it's only a portion of the total amount due.