tiny increment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tiny increment" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a very small increase or change in a quantity or measurement. For example, "The temperature rose by a tiny increment over the course of the day." Alternative expressions include "slight increase" and "minimal change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Outrageous performance has been ramped up even further, by more than just a tiny increment.

Independent

A tiny increment in problem-solving ability and group coordination is why we left the other apes in the dust.

The Guardian - Opinion

But even in that world, a lot of space is taken up by the middle ground: the modest paychecks sent to the family back home; the careers that culminate neither in glory nor in disgrace, but that flare up and peter out; the tiny increment of luck or timing that separates strike three from ball four.

The New York Times

The river is not used for drinking water either, they say, and they point out that the amount from the leak is a tiny increment compared with what the two active reactors at the site can legally release, and naturally occurring tritium.

The New York Times

Those deaths would represent only a tiny increment over the existing cancer rate, he said, just as the extra dose was a tiny fraction of the natural background dose of radiation people get from everyday exposures, but he added that they should still be considered.

The New York Times

The device has 1001 settings: 0, 1, 2, 3, …, 1000 and works as follows: moving up a setting raises, by a tiny increment, the amount of electric current applied to the self-torturer's body.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In 1995, by tiny increments, the vertigo began to abate.

The New Yorker

You can grind away on the live circuit, slowly cultivating your following in tiny increments.

The Guardian

The onslaught of numbers also leads us to whittle risk into tiny increments.

The New York Times

They're tiny increments of learning about human nature only vouchsafed to those who make people laugh for a living.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

OnDeck provides loans to merchants and collects (in tiny increments) each time their customers pay with a credit card.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing scientific or technical processes, use "tiny increment" to emphasize precision and the scale of change. It effectively communicates that the change is deliberate and controlled.

Common error

Avoid using "tiny increment" when describing changes that are, in fact, substantial or impactful. This can create a misleading impression and undermine the credibility of your description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tiny increment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a small increase or change, emphasizing its minimal scale. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and understandable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tiny increment" is a noun phrase used to describe a very small increase or change. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct, but its frequency is rare. It is often used in neutral registers, mainly in news and science contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the change you're describing is indeed small and that overstating its significance is avoided. Alternative phrases such as "slight increase" or "marginal gain" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negligible rise

Replaces "increment" with "rise" emphasizing the act of increasing and "tiny" with "negligible", meaning insignificant.

slight increase

Substitutes "increment" with "increase", a more common synonym and "tiny" with "slight" implying a minimal quantity.

marginal gain

Replaces "increment" with "gain", suggesting a positive outcome of the small increase and "tiny" with "marginal" expressing it is barely sufficient.

minor adjustment

Substitutes the entire phrase to focus on the act of adjusting, with "minor" conveying a small change.

small addition

Replace "increment" with "addition", to express a small positive change.

minimal alteration

Replaces "increment" with "alteration", a formal synonym for change and "tiny" with "minimal" suggesting the smallest possible change.

minute change

Replace "tiny" with "minute" to indicate an extremely small change.

inconsequential modification

Using more formal language, this indicates that the change is small and without importance, where "inconsequential" substitutes "tiny" and "modification" substitutes "increment".

imperceptible shift

This alternative focuses on the idea of a shift or change so small it is difficult to notice, replacing "tiny" with "imperceptible" and "increment" with "shift".

gradual refinement

This suggests a slow and subtle improvement over time, replacing "tiny" with "gradual" and "increment" with "refinement".

FAQs

What does "tiny increment" mean?

The phrase "tiny increment" refers to a very small or almost imperceptible increase or change in something. It emphasizes the minimal scale of the adjustment.

How can I use "tiny increment" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company's profits showed a "tiny increment" this quarter," indicating a slight improvement.

What can I say instead of "tiny increment"?

You can use alternatives like "slight increase", "marginal gain", or "minimal change", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "tiny increment" in formal writing?

Yes, "tiny increment" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when precision is needed. However, consider alternatives like "negligible rise" or "marginal gain" for a more sophisticated tone.