very tiny

USAGE SUMMARY

"very tiny" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that is extremely small or minuscule. Example: The ants on the picnic blanket were very tiny, but their presence caused a big disturbance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very tiny.

The Economist

That's very tiny.

The New Yorker

So it's very tiny.

Harvard University

And it is very tiny.

Independent

A very tiny bit.

The Guardian - Music

They were very tiny.

The New York Times

The very tiny Miró?

The New Yorker

We're a very tiny team.

The Guardian

So this is a very tiny effect.

Cornell University

It's a very, very tiny positive step.

The Guardian - Money

A very tiny glimmer of hope.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very tiny" to emphasize the extreme smallness of something, especially when its size is a key aspect of the description. For example, "The details on the miniature painting were very tiny, requiring a magnifying glass to appreciate them fully."

Common error

Avoid using "very tiny" simply as filler; ensure the small size is relevant to the context. Overusing intensifiers can weaken your writing. Opt for more precise adjectives when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very tiny" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate its exceptionally small size. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and acceptable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

32%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very tiny" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjectival phrase that effectively conveys the extreme smallness of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts. While alternatives like "extremely small" or "minuscule" exist, "very tiny" offers a direct and easily understood way to emphasize size. While appropriate for most situations, writers should ensure its use is relevant and not merely filler, opting for more precise language in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely small

Emphasizes a high degree of smallness, similar to "very tiny".

minuscule

Indicates something is extremely small, often suggesting it's barely noticeable.

very small

A more general term for smallness, less emphatic than "very tiny".

microscopic

Implies the size is so small it requires a microscope to see it.

minute

Denotes extreme smallness, often implying precision or detail.

infinitesimal

Suggests something is immeasurably small.

diminutive

Suggests something is notably small, often charmingly so.

teeny-weeny

A more playful and informal way to say something is very small.

compact

Implies something is small and neatly fitted together.

petite

Often used to describe something delicately small, particularly in fashion or design.

FAQs

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

Use "very tiny" to describe something of extremely small size. For instance, "The scientist examined the "very tiny particles" under a powerful microscope".

What are some alternatives to using "very tiny"?

Alternatives include "extremely small", "minuscule", or "microscopic", depending on the level of detail and context.

Is "very tiny" too informal for formal writing?

While "very tiny" is widely understood, consider using more precise or technical terms like "infinitesimal" or "microscopic" in formal or scientific contexts to convey a more sophisticated understanding.

What is the difference between "very tiny" and "very small"?

"Very tiny" implies a greater degree of smallness compared to "very small". Use "very tiny" when you want to emphasize that something is exceptionally small.