tiny question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tiny question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that the question you are about to ask is minor or not very significant. Example: "I have a tiny question about the meeting time; could you clarify it for me?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sports

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"A zygote like a tiny question mark drifts into her womb," Mr. Doerr writes silkily about one failed effort for Imogene to conceive.

The New York Times - Books

One more tiny question: Does it mean anything that so many of these smart people have high-level art jobs and eat so many free meals?

The New York Times - Arts

So overall it's a four-star review thanks to a tiny question about build integrity and a bit of a pouting lip at the way the engine delivers its performance.

Independent

King also only one tiny question about the political process ("Mitchell McConnell [said]...we're winning the health care debate. What do you think of that?") and didn't attach a whole lot of importance to it, using it as a pivot question as opposed to a lead question.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

That's the grand question the book sets out to answer by way of a thousand other tiny questions about who did it; who saw it; why it happened; and whether — in the case of Ike's stricken, delirious father, who is the novel's master character even if he doesn't dominate its stage — its human consequences can be endured.

The New York Times - Books

Because in this world, even the tiniest question of credibility now precariously tips the tenuous platform that these companies have built for themselves.

Huffington Post

The N.F.L. combine was days away, and even a tiny character question — why were they at a bar? — could mean the difference between early-round money and something less.

The New York Times - Sports

And like most sequels we are left with one tiny little question: For the love of God, why? Did Neil Armstrong forget something up there?

Huffington Post

But the tiny nagging questions assert themselves: so what?

The Guardian - Film

They have described the sum as "tiny" and questioned why the Tate has clung so hard to the funding.

The Guardian

Only the absence of suspended Tom Boonen, the world's No1 sprinter, placed the tiniest of question marks against those wins, but a fit and firing Boonen was left behind Cavendish on Sunday, as he had twice been in this year's Tour of Qatar, and then twice more in the Tour of California.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tiny question" to introduce a query that you want to downplay in importance, often to ease the recipient's potential concern about the complexity or significance of your request.

Common error

Avoid using "tiny question" in formal settings such as academic papers or high-stakes business communications. More formal alternatives like "minor inquiry" or "inconsequential question" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tiny question" functions as a noun phrase, where "tiny" modifies the noun "question". It serves to prequalify the question as being of minimal importance or requiring little effort to answer. Ludwig confirms this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Books

20%

Sports

20%

Less common in

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tiny question" is a grammatically sound phrase used to preface an inquiry as minor or insignificant. Ludwig indicates that it's generally acceptable, although it might be perceived as informal in certain professional or academic settings. Alternatives such as "small question" or "minor inquiry" might be more suitable depending on the context. While the phrase is simple, understanding its nuances can enhance communication effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small question

Replaces "tiny" with "small", a synonym indicating reduced size or importance.

little question

Uses "little" instead of "tiny", another common synonym for small size or importance.

minor question

Substitutes "tiny" with "minor", emphasizing the insignificance of the question.

small inquiry

Substitutes "question" with "inquiry", a synonym, and "tiny" with "small" to convey a similar meaning.

insignificant question

Replaces "tiny" with "insignificant", directly stating the lack of importance.

minor inquiry

Replaces "question" with "inquiry", a synonym, and "tiny" with "minor" to convey a similar meaning.

trivial question

Replaces "tiny" with "trivial", highlighting the lack of seriousness or value of the question.

slight question

Employs "slight" to indicate the minimal impact or weight of the question.

inconsequential question

Substitutes "tiny" with "inconsequential", denoting that the question has little to no consequence.

fleeting question

This implies that the question is not only small but also brief or quickly passing.

FAQs

What does "tiny question" mean?

A "tiny question" refers to a minor or insignificant inquiry, suggesting that the question is simple and does not require a complex or lengthy answer.

What can I say instead of "tiny question"?

You can use alternatives like "small question", "minor question", or "little question" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "tiny question" in professional emails?

While acceptable, consider the formality of your communication. In more formal settings, "minor inquiry" may be a better choice.

How do I use "tiny question" in a sentence?

You might say, "I have a "tiny question" about the deadline," indicating that your query is not expected to cause any issues or require significant effort to answer.