Relatively small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Relatively small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is small in comparison to other things or within a certain context. Example: "The budget for this project is relatively small compared to last year's expenditures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Relatively small Native American populations were eclipsed.

Wikipedia

All were relatively small players.

The New York Times

The courtroom is relatively small.

The New Yorker

But Eaton is relatively small.

The New Yorker

The program is relatively small.

The New York Times

This apartment was relatively small.

The New York Times

Even relatively small doses work.

The Economist

It's relatively small.

The New York Times

Their numbers have become relatively small.

The Economist

Netflix pays a relatively small licensing fee.

The New York Times

The Togolese manufacturing sector is relatively small.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Relatively small" to introduce a contrast or qualification. It can subtly shift the focus to other aspects despite the small size.

Common error

Avoid using "Relatively small" without establishing a reference point. Saying something is "relatively small" without indicating what it's small compared to can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Relatively small" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate its size in relation to something else. As Ludwig AI suggests, it implies a comparison, highlighting that the subject's size is less than what might be expected or less than another entity. This function is evident across various contexts in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Relatively small" is a common adjective phrase used to describe something as being smaller in comparison to something else, as Ludwig AI confirms. It functions to provide context about size and appears most frequently in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to establish a clear comparison point for enhanced clarity. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, overlooking this comparison is a common writing error. Alternatives include "comparatively small", "somewhat small", and "slightly small". Therefore, using "Relatively small" effectively involves ensuring context and clarity in its comparative function.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Comparatively small

Replaces "relatively" with "comparatively", emphasizing the comparison aspect.

Somewhat small

Uses "somewhat" to soften the statement, suggesting a slight degree of smallness.

Moderately small

Employs "moderately" to indicate a medium level of smallness.

Slightly small

Uses "slightly" to convey a minor degree of smallness.

Reasonably small

Indicates that the size is small to a reasonable extent.

Fairly small

Uses "fairly" to mean moderately or somewhat small.

Quite small

Suggests a notable degree of smallness, though not extreme.

On the smaller side

Rephrases to focus on being part of a smaller range or group.

Diminutive

Uses a more formal term for small, implying insignificance.

Limited in size

Explicitly states the smallness in terms of physical dimensions.

FAQs

How can I use "Relatively small" in a sentence?

Use "Relatively small" to indicate that something is small in comparison to something else. For example, "The budget for this project is "relatively small" compared to last year's expenditures".

What are some alternatives to "Relatively small"?

You can use alternatives like "comparatively small", "somewhat small", or "slightly small" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "Relatively small"?

Yes, the phrase "Relatively small" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe something that is smaller than average or smaller in comparison to something else.

What does "Relatively small" mean?

"Relatively small" means something is small when compared to something else. It implies a comparison and indicates that the subject is not absolutely small, but small in relation to a specific standard or reference point.