small pledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small pledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a minor commitment or promise, often in a financial or fundraising context. Example: "She made a small pledge to support the local charity event, hoping to inspire others to contribute as well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If even 1,000 people make a small pledge of $10, we could all save a 1927 theater from closing down or turning into something completely different.

Huffington Post

Julie recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to make more bags while getting the word out about the product, in effect getting them into the hands of those who love them most in exchange for a small pledge.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It is on that ticket that he has run this year, making many small pledges but no new big ones.

The Economist

The pitifully small pledges of money made by rich countries to help countries such as the Philippines or Bangladesh to adapt to climate change have barely materialised.

The Guardian - Opinion

Plan your pledges and find the right service providers to avoid spending time on interactions for small pledges.

TechCrunch

Another offered a smaller pledge on condition that O'Reilly be seated in an economy class seat near a toilet.

The New York Times

Indeed, some of the smaller pledges came from far-flung countries like Mali, which said it would give $200,000, and Montenegro, which pledged $10,000.

The New York Times

Rich countries tripped over one another to help poor countries and their small farmers, pledging $22 billion.

The New York Times - Science

Mr Cameron's smaller government pledge drew an important election dividing line.

Independent

This has seen large areas of Kenya protected by small landowners pledging land to communal conservation zones.

The Guardian - Travel

That way even if small countries' pledges look flaky, the rest should be able to compensate.In this section Nip and tuck When markets go wrong Spivvy Careless talk Listing or capsizing?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "small pledge", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being pledged (e.g., money, time, resources) and to whom or what it is being pledged to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "small pledge" when the actual commitment carries significant weight or impact, even if the amount seems relatively small. This avoids misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small pledge" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "pledge". It describes the nature of the pledge, indicating its limited scope or value. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small pledge" is a grammatically correct and usable term to describe a minor commitment or promise, often within financial or fundraising contexts. While deemed rare in frequency, according to Ludwig's analysis, its primary usage appears in News & Media. The phrase effectively communicates the idea that even minimal contributions can be meaningful. When employing "small pledge", clarify the subject and recipient to ensure comprehensive understanding. Keep in mind that using "small pledge" when referring to something that carries significant weight can be misleading.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor commitment

Emphasizes the limited scope of the obligation.

modest promise

Highlights the unassuming nature of the undertaking.

tiny donation

Specifically refers to a very small financial contribution.

token contribution

Implies a symbolic gesture of support.

insignificant vow

Underscores the lack of importance in the promise.

limited undertaking

Focuses on the restricted scale of the planned action.

minimal guarantee

Highlights the reduced level of assurance provided.

slight assurance

Emphasizes the marginal amount of confidence given.

negligible offering

Indicates the almost insignificant value of the presented item or action.

petite contribution

Is a slightly more elegant way to express a very small contribution.

FAQs

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

You can use "small pledge" to describe a minor commitment or promise, often in a financial context. For example: "Even a "small pledge" can make a difference to a local charity."

What can I say instead of "small pledge"?

You can use alternatives like "minor commitment", "modest promise", or "tiny donation" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "small pledge" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when accurately describing a commitment of limited scope. However, consider using a more precise term if the context requires it.

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

"Small pledge" refers to a commitment of minimal value or impact, while "large pledge" indicates a significant commitment. The choice depends on the scale of the contribution being described.