small wage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small wage" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to a low or minimal amount of money that someone earns for their work. Example: Despite working long hours, the factory workers were only paid a small wage that barely covered their basic living expenses.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Long hours, "small" wage, "poor" working conditions.

The New York Times

A small wage increase for public employees was negotiated recently.

The New York Times

The family relies on the small wage Esweu earns repairing bicycles.

The Guardian

If you want a job, you have to work hard, even for a small wage.

The Guardian - Money

He believes the key to Ludlow's attractions for restaurateurs are cheap ish) property prices and small wage bills.

The Economist

Workers do not accept small wage increases, let alone cuts, easily; and slow wage growth adds little to domestic demand.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Small wages.

BBC

When it was relatively small, wages would be low.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And the Daily Star argues that Osborne's "measures are welcome news for drinkers, motorists and people on small wages" (aka, Star readers).

The Guardian

Some of the musicians have tried to supplement their incomes by working in restaurants but have found the work too tedious for the small wages.

The New York Times - Arts

Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing employment conditions, use "small wage" to highlight unfair compensation in contrast to long hours or difficult work environments. For example, "Despite the demanding nature of the job, they received only a small wage."

Common error

Avoid using "small wage" when you specifically mean the government-mandated minimum hourly wage. "Small wage" is a general descriptor of low pay, while "minimum wage" refers to a legally defined amount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small wage" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "small" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "wage". It describes the amount of compensation received for labor. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the examples demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small wage" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe low compensation for work. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it is used across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and general informational sources. While it's often interchangeable with phrases like "low salary" or "meager income", "small wage" can carry a stronger connotation of unfairness or inadequacy. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning and is not confused with the legally defined "minimum wage". By understanding its usage and implications, writers can effectively convey their message about earnings and labor conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient wage

Focuses on the inadequacy of the "wage" to meet needs or requirements.

low salary

Substitutes "wage" with "salary", both referring to payment but salary often implies a fixed regular payment.

limited pay

Uses "pay" as a synonym for "wage" and describes it as "limited", indicating a restriction in amount.

minimal earnings

Emphasizes the minimal nature of the "earnings", highlighting how little is made.

meager income

Replaces "wage" with "income" and uses "meager" to emphasize the insufficiency of the amount.

modest compensation

Uses a more formal term, "compensation", to refer to payment, and describes it as "modest".

tiny stipend

Substitutes "wage" with "stipend", implying a fixed, small sum, and uses "tiny" for emphasis.

low compensation

Uses a more formal term, "compensation", to refer to payment and emphasizes how low the compensation is.

paltry remuneration

Replaces "wage" with "remuneration" and uses "paltry" to indicate a very small or meager amount.

reduced income

Indicates that the income has been lowered or is less than before.

FAQs

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

You can use "small wage" to describe a low amount of money earned for work, such as: "The workers protested against the "small wage" they received for their labor." or "He struggled to support his family on such a "small wage"".

What are some synonyms for "small wage"?

Alternatives to "small wage" include "low salary", "meager income", "minimal earnings", or "insufficient wage".

Is it more appropriate to use "small wage" or "low wage"?

Both "small wage" and "low wage" are acceptable, but "small wage" might imply a sense of unfairness or inadequacy in addition to just the amount being low. "Low wage" is a more neutral description.

What's the difference between "small wage" and "minimum wage"?

"Small wage" refers generally to a low amount of pay, whereas "minimum wage" is a legally mandated minimum amount an employer must pay. A "small wage" could technically be above the "minimum wage" but still be considered insufficient.