tiny fee

USAGE SUMMARY

"tiny fee" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You might use it to refer to a small amount of money that someone charges for a service. For example, "The tutor charges a tiny fee for each session to help students with their math homework."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

In America investors pay a tiny fee on asset transactions to cover regulatory costs.

The Economist

Even a tiny fee of one-tenth of a penny per email would be enough to deter most spammers.

The Economist

The foundation estimates it transports a million people to hospital each year, charging a tiny fee for the ride.

The Guardian

On the table, instead, are proposals like the one recently made by Senator Tom Harkin and Representative Peter DeFazio for a tiny fee on financial transactions.

The New York Times

As director of a small firm I have to file tax returns, and anyone can gain access to these for a tiny fee.

The Guardian - Opinion

Candy Cabs HQ dissolves into a state of mass hysteria at the thought of meeting Eddie Shannon and they charge him a tiny fee for the service.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

And, thanks to the spread of "passively" managed indexed funds that earn tiny fees, asset-management is not the money-spinner it once was.

The Economist

Waugh devoted much energy to his beloved magazine, bullying all his friends to write for tiny fees, and he established an annual party for the magazine's Bad Sex Award, a back-handed prize for novels with excruciating sexual descriptions.

The Guardian

Instead, it seems more like those tiny fees charged when we do a free movie ticket giveaway.

TechCrunch

You could sit tight, spending nothing on maintenance other than the tiny fees built into some ADRs by ADR custodian banks (issuing companies often pick up these expenses).

Forbes

With 1 billion phones made each year, even a tiny licensing fee for software on each one can add up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "tiny fee" with specific numbers or percentages to add precision. For example, "a tiny fee of 0.1%" gives your audience a clearer understanding of the cost.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of a "tiny fee". Ensure that the fee truly is insignificant relative to the overall cost or benefit. If the fee seems small but adds up over time, acknowledge that it has cumulative effects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tiny fee" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "tiny" modifies the noun "fee". It's used to describe a charge that is considered very small or insignificant, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tiny fee" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes a very small charge. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is most frequently found in news and business contexts and serves to minimize the perceived impact of the fee. While technically a noun phrase, its primary function is descriptive. When using "tiny fee", ensure the fee is truly insignificant and avoid exaggeration. Alternatives like "minimal charge" or "negligible cost" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal charge

Replaces "fee" with "charge", a synonym that emphasizes the act of imposing a cost. This change maintains the formal tone while offering a slightly different perspective.

negligible cost

Substitutes both "tiny" and "fee" with synonyms, conveying a sense of insignificance in the price. "Cost" broadens the application beyond just service fees.

small payment

Replaces "fee" with "payment", focusing on the act of giving money rather than the reason behind it. "Small" maintains the diminutive quality.

modest price

Uses "modest" to describe the price, suggesting reasonableness and fairness. This alternative shifts the focus to the value received for the cost.

nominal sum

Employs "nominal" to indicate that the amount is symbolic or very small, emphasizing its insignificance. "Sum" is a general term for an amount of money.

insignificant amount

Highlights the lack of importance or consequence of the money involved. This phrase is more descriptive and less direct than "tiny fee".

minor expense

Frames the fee as an expense, suitable for contexts where one is detailing costs or budget items. "Minor" keeps the sense of smallness.

token charge

Implies that the fee is more symbolic than substantial, often used when the primary purpose isn't profit. "Charge" is a direct synonym for fee.

slight tariff

Replaces "fee" with "tariff", which can be used in the context of taxes or duties. "Slight" preserves the idea of a small amount.

minimal rate

Uses "rate" to refer to a fee that is calculated as a proportion of something and is very small. "Minimal" keeps the sense of smallness.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "tiny fee" in a sentence?

You can use "tiny fee" to describe a small charge for a service or transaction. For example, "The app charges a "tiny fee" for each transaction to cover processing costs."

What are some alternatives to saying "tiny fee"?

Alternatives to "tiny fee" include phrases like "minimal charge", "negligible cost", or "small payment". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "tiny fee" or "small fee"?

Both "tiny fee" and "small fee" are acceptable. "Tiny fee" emphasizes that the amount is particularly insignificant, while "small fee" is a more general term.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "tiny fee"?

It's appropriate to use "tiny fee" when the charge is genuinely small and inconsequential in relation to the value or service provided. Be cautious about using it if the "tiny fee" can accumulate to a substantial amount over time.