tiny but critical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tiny but critical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that may be small in size or significance but is essential or important in a particular context. Example: "The tiny but critical component in the machine ensures that everything runs smoothly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Clare Presland made a big impact in the tiny but critical role of Sonyetka.

The Guardian - Music

Even a technical expert who appraised each skater's performance for spectators via in-house radio seemed to miss the tiny but critical mistakes that separated Nagasu from Flatt.

The New York Times - Sports

But to that tiny but critical sliver of Americans who vote and swing, Obama's steady mantra of mutual responsibility validates their position precisely.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"The water in clouds is absolutely tiny, but it is critical," Mr. Stephens said.

The New York Times - Science

But critical oversight says otherwise.

The Guardian - Arts

But critical hedges are not really necessary.

The New York Times

But critical?

TechCrunch

Crowding goes away because the letter spacing far exceeded the tiny 0.06º critical spacing at fixation (Toet & Levi, 1992).

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

There was no crowding of this stimulus at fixation, because the letter spacing far exceeded the tiny 0.06º critical spacing (Toet & Levi, 1992).

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

I'm tiny, but starting to grow".

The New York Times

"She was tiny but macho.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tiny but critical" to emphasize that something's importance isn't diminished by its size or apparent insignificance. This can add a layer of nuance to your writing, highlighting the unexpected impact of seemingly small factors.

Common error

Avoid using "tiny but critical" when the size or insignificance isn't relevant or creates a contradiction. Ensure that emphasizing the smallness adds value to the description, rather than detracting from the main point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tiny but critical" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to emphasize a contrast between size and importance. As supported by Ludwig AI, it highlights elements that are small or seemingly insignificant yet essential.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tiny but critical" is used to describe something that, despite being small or seemingly insignificant, is actually very important. According to Ludwig AI, this adjective phrase is grammatically correct and serves to highlight the unexpected impact of small factors. While its frequency is rare, the phrase appears in contexts such as news and media and science. For greater impact, it's best used when the contrast between size and importance is relevant to the message. Alternatives such as "small but important" or "insignificant but essential" can be used to add variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small yet vital

Replaces "tiny" with "small" and "critical" with "vital", maintaining the emphasis on importance despite size.

insignificant but essential

Highlights the contrast between apparent insignificance and actual essentiality.

minor but crucial

Uses "minor" instead of "tiny" and "crucial" in place of "critical", stressing the decisive nature of something small.

small but important

A direct synonym, substituting "tiny" with "small" and "critical" with "important".

negligible yet significant

Contrasts the idea of something being negligible in size with its considerable significance.

modest but key

Emphasizes the humility of something while pointing out it is central to achieve certain goal.

minute but consequential

Underscores how something very small can have major consequences.

compact but paramount

Draws attention to the reduced space occupied and the supreme importance.

limited but fundamental

Focuses on constraints in size or scope but highlights elemental nature.

understated but dominant

Emphasizes a lack of pretension contrasting with actual prevailing influence.

FAQs

How can I use "tiny but critical" in a sentence?

Use "tiny but critical" to describe elements that, despite their small size or apparent insignificance, play a crucial role. For example, "The "tiny but critical component" in the machine ensures smooth operation".

What are some alternatives to "tiny but critical"?

Alternatives include "small but important", "insignificant but essential", or "minor but crucial". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "tiny but critical" formal or informal?

"Tiny but critical" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of your writing.

Can "tiny but critical" be used to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "tiny but critical" can effectively describe abstract concepts. For instance, you could say, "A "tiny but critical shift" in perspective changed everything."