small chat or short chat

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allthewayanime

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Which one is correct: to have a small chat/talk or to have a short chat/talk?
 

jahildebrandt

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A little chat.

But I'm American--I'd be interested to see if it changes by region.
 

5jj

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A 'short chat' is possible, as is a 'little chat/talk'. The latter is more informal, in my opinion.

A 'short talk' is likely to be a short lecture, and 'small talk' is polite conversation about unimportant things.
 

JohnParis

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A small talk (with you)... This may be AmE only.
A short chat with you...
A little word with you...

Small talk is also a noun: polite conversation about unimportant or uncontroversial matters, esp. as engaged in on social occasions : propriety required that he face these people and make small talk.

John
 
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