a comparatively small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a comparatively small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the size or amount of something to another, indicating that it is smaller in relation to that other thing. Example: "The budget for this project is a comparatively small fraction of the overall company expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Compared to other reports, this is a comparatively small percentage.

Conflict and Health

But a comparatively small number are equipped with ANPR technology.

The Guardian

Or they operated on a comparatively small scale.

The New York Times - Magazine

Chinese consumers have played a comparatively small part.

The New York Times

Goldman Sachs was a comparatively small issuer, at $2.2 billion.

The New York Times

The United States had a comparatively small military establishment in 1913, despite having the largest GDP.

Yale University

The Pixel 3 is arguably the best Android device with a comparatively small 5.5in screen.

The Guardian - Tech

"A comparatively small number of those sales have been to schools", Upton said.

The Guardian - Tech

The world's wealthiest continent can easily handle such a comparatively small influx.

The Guardian

(After reading a comparatively small stack of leadership books, I am in awe of his achievement).

The New Yorker

Until then, access to orbit will be restricted to a comparatively small number of people.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a comparatively small", ensure the context clearly establishes what the subject is being compared to. This provides a necessary frame of reference for the reader to understand the relative size.

Common error

Avoid using "a comparatively small" without providing a clear point of comparison. Without context, the phrase becomes vague and loses its intended meaning. Instead of saying 'The project had a comparatively small budget', specify 'The project had a comparatively small budget compared to similar initiatives'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a comparatively small" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the size or extent of something in relation to something else, indicating it is less than what might be expected or typical. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

27%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a comparatively small" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe something as smaller relative to a point of comparison. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various writing styles, from news and academic to general content. Usage analysis reveals it's frequently found in "News & Media" and "Science", indicating its relevance in providing contextual magnitude. When using this phrase, ensure a clear comparison is evident to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "relatively small" or "noticeably small" depending on the intended nuance. The phrase has a neutral register and provides a clear way to convey the size or degree of something in relation to another.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a relatively small

Replaces "comparatively" with "relatively", offering a slightly less formal tone.

a noticeably small

Emphasizes the ease with which the small size can be observed.

a significantly small

Highlights that the small size is considerable or important.

a marginally small

Indicates the size is small but close to the threshold of being larger.

a distinctly small

Highlights that the size can be told apart from others with certainty.

a proportionally small

Focuses on the small size when considered in relation to some whole.

a reasonably small

Indicates that the size is small to a degree that is fair or appropriate.

a modestly small

Implies a small size that isn't excessive or extreme.

a negligibly small

Indicates the size is so small it might as well be nothing.

a trivially small

Implies the small size makes whatever is being measured unworthy of consideration.

FAQs

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

Use "a comparatively small" when you want to indicate that something is smaller than something else you're comparing it to. For example, "The town has "a comparatively small" population compared to the capital city."

What's the difference between "a comparatively small" and "a relatively small"?

While both phrases indicate that something is smaller than expected, "a comparatively small" suggests a more direct comparison is being made, whereas "a relatively small" simply indicates that something is small in relation to a general expectation.

Are there any formal alternatives to "a comparatively small"?

Yes, formal alternatives include "a notably small", "a significantly small", or "a proportionally small". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify what "a comparatively small" is being compared to?

Ideally, yes. Specifying the point of comparison enhances clarity. However, if the context makes the comparison obvious, it may be omitted. For instance, in a discussion of national budgets, 'This is "a comparatively small" amount' might be sufficient.