tiny salary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tiny salary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a salary that is very low or insufficient for living expenses. Example: "After working for several months, I realized that my tiny salary was not enough to cover my bills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

I have a job with a tiny salary of 80 crowns, and.

The New Yorker

He said he could not pay his bills on the tiny salary that comes with the office.

The New York Times

What if your bliss means working for an employer that offers a tiny salary, or pays nothing at all?

The New York Times

It was a tiny salary but I was so happy, it was the first time I'd accomplished something.

The Guardian - Travel

Most people thought this was a crazy notion: what engineer or doctor was going to move to the middle of nowhere on a tiny salary when he could be living a comfortable life in the city?

The New Yorker

Writer says… I have a job with a tiny salary of 80 crowns, and A couple who manage an Arizona apartment complex watch as the Holits family from Minnesota whose farm was foreclosed, moves into one of the apartments,….

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Led by the eminent scientist Valentin Fainberg, they all complained bitterly that they were getting tiny salaries, the worst laboratory equipment, and no access to scientific conferences.

The New Yorker

And acquittal rates in a good year reach 1%.Mr Putin wants to raise the judges' tiny salaries and pour money into the courts, most of which now smell and feel like public lavatories.

The Economist

The former officers spoke matter-of-factly about what they identified as a key reason they became corrupt or abusive: tiny salaries that fed frustration and made side payments a welcome supplement.

The New York Times

It is an impressive, even moving, experience to visit decrepit little schools in the provinces where a bunch of dedicated middle-aged women, on tiny salaries and without any modern books or equipment, instil the basics of maths, science and Russian literature into the heads of their pupils.

The Economist

Ibrahim, who farms to supplement his tiny government salary, has wondered whether he should leave one of Sudan's only peaceful patches of green to find work in the capital, Khartoum, or – like thousands of others – cross the deserts and the seas for a new life.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of a "tiny salary", be specific about the consequences, such as inability to afford basic necessities or pursue further education.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of a "tiny salary" to the point of hyperbole. Instead, focus on the realistic challenges and limitations it presents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tiny salary" functions as a noun phrase, where "tiny" modifies the noun "salary". It serves to describe the salary's size or amount, indicating it is significantly small. Ludwig AI provides examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tiny salary" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe a very low income. Ludwig AI identifies it as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, functioning to communicate the insufficiency of the salary. While "tiny salary" isn't overly formal, more professional alternatives might be preferred in certain contexts. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and rarely appears in other categories. Based on the available data, its frequency is classified as Uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient income

Directly addresses the inadequacy of the income.

meager income

Focuses on the insufficiency of the income.

paltry wages

Implies the wages are almost insultingly small.

low wages

Emphasizes the base rate of pay.

skimpy earnings

Suggests the earnings are barely sufficient.

small compensation

Highlights the overall remuneration being limited.

limited earnings

Stresses the restricted amount of money earned.

modest pay

Underlines the humble or unpretentious nature of the salary.

reduced compensation

Highlights a reduction or cut in pay.

minimal remuneration

Uses a more formal term for a very small payment.

FAQs

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

You can use "tiny salary" to describe a low or inadequate income, such as: "Despite working long hours, my "tiny salary" barely covers rent and groceries."

What are some alternatives to saying "tiny salary"?

Alternatives include "meager income", "low wages", or "insufficient income", depending on the specific context.

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

While "tiny salary" is understandable, more formal alternatives like "minimal remuneration" or "modest pay" might be more suitable for professional contexts.

What's the difference between "tiny salary" and "low wages"?

"Tiny salary" describes an overall inadequate compensation, while "low wages" specifically refers to a low hourly or weekly rate of pay. The terms can be used interchangeably in many situations, but not always.