-mkTupleTy :: Boxity -> Int -> [Type] -> Type
-mkTupleTy boxity arity tys = mkTyConApp (tupleTyCon boxity arity) tys
+mkTupleTy :: Boxity -> [Type] -> Type
+-- Special case for *boxed* 1-tuples, which are represented by the type itself
+mkTupleTy boxity [ty] | Boxed <- boxity = ty
+mkTupleTy boxity tys = mkTyConApp (tupleTyCon boxity (length tys)) tys
+
+-- | Build the type of a small tuple that holds the specified type of thing
+mkBoxedTupleTy :: [Type] -> Type
+mkBoxedTupleTy tys = mkTupleTy Boxed tys