a little smaller

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little smaller" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that something is smaller than it was before. For example, "I bought the same model of refrigerator, but this one is a little smaller."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It makes the world a little smaller".

The New York Times

For one night, the gap seemed a little smaller.

The New York Times - Sports

This week, our island of ignorance got a little smaller.

The New Yorker

On my father's side, the families were a little smaller.

The New York Times

Outside the eurozone, Sweden's economy got a little smaller.

The Guardian

Man's unfathomable pool of ignorance just got a little smaller.

The Guardian - Opinion

The expo had seemed a little smaller and more subdued.

The New York Times - Sports

Every space we had available to us was a little smaller than what we actually needed.

Stanford University

With a magnitude of 5.4, this quake was just a little smaller than Oklahoma's quake.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"She's actually a little smaller," Verlaine said.

The New Yorker

Ultramarine also is a little smaller than Amazonian.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two similar items, use "a little smaller" to indicate a slight difference in size, enhancing clarity and providing context for the comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "a little smaller" when the size difference is significant; opt for terms like "much smaller" or "considerably smaller" to accurately reflect the actual disparity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little smaller" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to modify a noun by indicating that it has a size that is slightly less than another item or a previous state. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its frequent use in comparing sizes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

22%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a little smaller" is a versatile and commonly used comparative phrase to indicate that something is slightly reduced in size. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and applicable in numerous contexts, spanning from describing physical objects to abstract concepts. While alternatives like "slightly smaller" or "somewhat smaller" exist, "a little smaller" offers a balance of informality and clarity suitable for various writing styles. This phrase is very popular in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Wiki" sources, confirming its neutral and widespread usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly smaller

Emphasizes the minor degree of size reduction.

Somewhat smaller

Indicates a modest difference in size.

Marginally smaller

Highlights the minimal nature of the size difference.

A tad smaller

Uses a more informal term for a small amount.

A shade smaller

Suggests a subtle and barely perceptible size reduction.

Minutely smaller

Implies an extremely small size difference.

Barely smaller

Highlights that the size difference is at its limit.

Slightly reduced

Focuses on the action of reducing rather than the state of being smaller.

A fraction smaller

Indicates that the size reduction is just a small part of the original.

Somewhat diminished

Implies a reduction not only in size but also potentially in importance or impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "a little smaller" to describe a slight reduction in size when comparing two items, for example: "This shirt is the same style, but "a little smaller" than the one I already have."

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "slightly smaller", "somewhat smaller", or "marginally smaller" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "a little smaller" or "slightly smaller"?

Both "a little smaller" and "slightly smaller" are correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice depends on the desired tone and context of your writing.

When should I use "a little smaller" versus "much smaller"?

Use "a little smaller" when the difference in size is minor and subtle. If the size difference is significant or easily noticeable, use "much smaller" to accurately represent the degree of difference.