small trial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small trial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor or limited test or experiment, often in a scientific or research context. Example: "The researchers conducted a small trial to assess the effectiveness of the new drug on a limited group of participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So far, it has just had some small trial orders.

The New York Times

Aguilar led me to a small trial plot.

The New Yorker

It was also a small trial, involving only 103 patients.

The New York Times

The company has said it is conducting a small trial with a few partners.

The New York Times - Tech

It also began to sell the drug based on the small trial.

The New York Times

Belgium plans to start a small trial of 50 drivers in September.

The New York Times - Science

Cinda ran its first Taobao auction of non-performing loans as a small trial in March.

The Economist

It previously reported that 26percentt of patients had gained three lines of vision in a small trial.

The New York Times

In a small trial, the researchers successfully lured and captured some starfish -- proof, they say, that the concept works.

The New York Times - Science

Phase 1 is a small trial to determine at what dose the drug can be taken safely.

The New Yorker

But there has been only one small trial showing that the drug provided better pain relief than a placebo.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research, clarify the size of the "small trial" by specifying the number of participants or duration to provide context.

Common error

Avoid drawing definitive conclusions from a "small trial". Emphasize that further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm initial findings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small trial" functions as a noun phrase where "small" is an adjective modifying the noun "trial". Ludwig confirms it's used to denote a test or experiment with a limited scope, often in research.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small trial" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a limited test or experiment. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in scientific and news contexts. When using "small trial", consider clarifying the scope and limitations, as it often indicates preliminary research. Alternatives include "pilot study" or "limited experiment". Be mindful of overstating the results, as further research may be required. This term serves to inform the audience of the scale of the experiment and to be cautious about the findings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pilot study

Focuses on the preliminary nature of the research.

limited experiment

Emphasizes the restricted scope and scale of the experiment.

preliminary investigation

Highlights the initial and exploratory aspect of the investigation.

feasibility study

Focuses on assessing the viability and practicality of a larger study.

brief test

Underscores the concise and short-term nature of the test.

initial assessment

Highlights the role of providing a first evaluation or judgment.

proof-of-concept study

Highlights that the purpose is to establish viability, rather than gather extensive data.

early-stage trial

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the research being in its beginning phases.

exploratory study

Highlights the intent to explore and investigate a topic or issue.

mini trial

Emphasizes the reduced size compared to a full-scale trial.

FAQs

How is a "small trial" different from a large clinical trial?

A "small trial" typically involves fewer participants and a shorter duration compared to a large clinical trial. It's often used for preliminary investigations or "feasibility study".

What are the limitations of a "small trial"?

A "small trial" may have limited statistical power, making it difficult to detect small but meaningful effects. Results from "small trials" may not be generalizable to larger populations.

When is it appropriate to conduct a "small trial"?

A "small trial" is appropriate when exploring a new research area, assessing the "safety of a new intervention", or gathering preliminary data to inform the design of a larger study.

What can I say instead of "small trial"?

You can use alternatives like "pilot study", "limited experiment", or "preliminary investigation" depending on the context.