a little small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is slightly smaller than expected or desired. Example: "The shirt I ordered is a little small, so I might need to exchange it for a larger size."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Imagine a little small town like that.

The New York Times - Sports

Jamaica a little small island, you know".

The Guardian - Music

And engaged in a little small talk.

The New York Times

Don't be embarrassed if your head's a little small".

The New Yorker

"The baby is a little small," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Whereas before we thought it was a little small, now it was terrifyingly small".

The New York Times

A little small tweak here and there and we'll be ready to go".

The New York Times - Sports

Still, the panini at Salumè are a little small, or a little pricey.

The New York Times - Food

Rooms are a little small, but most feature an en suite bathroom and wireless internet.

The Guardian - Travel

They said the bedrooms were a little small and there wasn't a lot of closet space.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The variety is addictive: Red Carpet, a little small-leafed creeper with a scalloped chartreuse edge, is good for dangling over a pot.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical dimensions, use "a little small" to gently point out a slight deficiency in size without being overly critical. For example, "The apartment was nice, but the kitchen was a little small."

Common error

Avoid using "a little small" when you actually mean something is significantly undersized. Opt for stronger terms like "much smaller" or "considerably smaller" to accurately convey the magnitude of the size difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little small" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifically an intensifier combined with an adjective. It serves to qualify the adjective "small", indicating a slight degree of the quality being described. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a little small" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjectival modifier indicating a slight degree of smallness. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, with a neutral register suitable for diverse communication scenarios. When using "a little small", ensure that it accurately reflects the degree of smallness you intend to convey, avoiding overstatements or understatements. Consider alternatives for nuanced expression where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly undersized

Replaces "a little" with "slightly" and "small" with "undersized", emphasizing the size aspect.

a touch smaller

Uses "touch" instead of "little" to indicate a slight degree of smallness.

a bit undersized

Uses "a bit" as a synonym for "a little" and "undersized" instead of "small".

marginally smaller

Focuses on the comparison, highlighting that it's only slightly smaller.

somewhat diminutive

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey the idea of being small.

somewhat reduced

Implies the size has been diminished to some extent.

a tad petite

Employs "tad" for "little" and "petite" for "small", suggesting a delicate smallness.

slightly compact

Suggests the smallness is due to being tightly packed or compressed.

relatively tiny

Emphasizes the smallness by using "tiny" and qualifying it with "relatively".

barely adequate in size

Focuses on whether the size is sufficient, implying it's only just meeting the requirement.

FAQs

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

You can use "a little small" to describe something that is slightly smaller than expected or desired. For example, "The shirt I ordered online is "a little small", so I'll exchange it for a larger size."

What are some alternatives to saying "a little small"?

Alternatives include "slightly undersized", "a bit small", or "somewhat diminutive", depending on the context and desired formality.

Is it redundant to say "a little small"?

While "small" already implies a lack of size, adding "a little" softens the statement, indicating the degree of smallness is not significant. It's not inherently redundant but consider if simply saying "small" suffices.

What's the difference between "a little small" and "too small"?

"A little small" suggests something is slightly undersized but potentially still usable, while "too small" implies it is unusable due to its size. The difference lies in the degree of the size discrepancy.