I was very small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was very small" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a past state of being, particularly in reference to age or size. Example: "When I was a child, I often felt like I was very small compared to my older siblings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The recorded increase in [Ca2+] i was very small; VCa increased from −107.5 to −106.4 mV, and then recovered.

Cell Calcium

I was very small.

Independent

"I was very small, probably under ten.

Independent

When I was very small, I had a librarian aunt.

Cornell University

"I've worn the pollera since I was very small.

The Guardian

When I was very small, I asked my mum why she didn't have a father.

The New York Times

Yaeli: I remember since I was very small, my mom blamed everything on Oslo.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Generally, C i is very small, e.g., C i = 1%.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Moreover, Δθ i is very small (|Δθ i | ≤ 0.43° for a small antenna with the azimuth length of 2 m at X-band) in practice.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Generally, PU's interference tolerance C i is very small, especially far less than the probability of PU being "ON" (i.e., 1- k i ).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In this case q T' (X i ) is very small, but the configurations where q T' (X)/ q T (X) is sufficiently large are not generated because q T (X) is relatively small for those.

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was very small" to describe your physical size or age in the past, particularly when contrasting it with your current state or experiences.

Common error

Ensure that "small" refers to a physical dimension or age, not to feelings, importance, or other abstract qualities. For instance, avoid saying "I was very small in confidence"; instead, use "I had very little confidence."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was very small" primarily functions as a statement of past condition or state. It describes the subject's size or age during a past period. Ludwig's examples show this phrase used in autobiographical narratives and descriptions of childhood memories, emphasizing the speaker's youth or physical stature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

12%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was very small" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression primarily employed to describe a past state of being, typically referencing youth or diminutive size. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is commonly found in news, media, academic, and scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure it refers to a physical dimension or age rather than abstract concepts. Considering closely related options such as "I was quite young" can add nuance depending on the particular context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was still little

Uses "little" as a synonym for "small", implying youth and immaturity.

I was quite young

Replaces "small" with "young", focusing on age rather than physical size.

I was still a kid

Uses the informal term "kid" instead of "child", indicating a more casual tone.

I was very young then

Adds "then" to specify a past time, emphasizing youth at that particular moment.

I was just a child

Emphasizes the state of being a child, highlighting innocence and lack of experience.

I was merely a child

Adds "merely" to emphasize the speaker's youth and inexperience.

I was a young age

Reframes the statement to focus on age as a numerical value.

I was quite miniature

Substitutes "small" with "miniature", highlighting the diminutive physical stature.

I was just a toddler

Specifies the age range further to "toddler", indicating a very young child.

I hadn't grown much yet

Focuses on the lack of physical growth at that time.

FAQs

How can I use "I was very small" in a sentence?

Use "I was very small" to describe a period in your life when you were young or physically smaller, such as: "I remember that when "I was very small", I used to play in the garden all day."

What's a more formal way to say "I was very small"?

While "I was very small" is perfectly acceptable in most contexts, you could use "I was quite young" or "I was but a child" for a more formal or literary tone. The best option depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "I was very small for my age"?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. It means you were smaller than most children of your age. You could also say "I was undersized" or "I was petite" for a similar meaning.

What can I say instead of "I was very small" when referring to emotional impact?

If you mean you felt insignificant or powerless, consider alternatives like "I felt insignificant", "I felt vulnerable", or "I felt powerless". The phrase "I was very small" is usually reserved for physical size or age, using "I felt insignificant" is probably closer to the sense you want to convey.