a small display

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small display" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a display that is limited in size, often referring to screens or visual presentations. Example: "The new device features a small display that makes it easy to carry around."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A small display case holds other appetizers.

The New York Times

The show's management the anniversary with a small display of antique motor boats and marine equipment.

The New Yorker

A small display of paintings by Woodstock artists from the permanent collection accompanies the print show.

The New York Times - Arts

The islanders would like to have him back; the foundation has a small display area.

The Economist

Here in a cool, tiled vestibule was a small display of their wares: macaroons, membrillo (quince paste), cookies and cakes.

The New York Times - Travel

The other is a small display of place settings and salt and pepper shakers by Eva Zeisel, a ceramist.

The New York Times

A small display near the front door is stocked with educational reading material from the 1940's.

The New York Times - Food

And the wide-eyed grin in the snapshot is a small display of what independence looks like.

The New York Times

From Friday 4 April, there will be a small display of Broom's moving photographs showing soldiers leaving London for the western front.

The Guardian

The show of more than 130 French, Spanish and Belgian posters is arranged thematically, beginning with a small display devoted to lithography in the 19th century.

The New York Times

This should allow users to see whomever they are talking with on a small display on their wireless phone or hand-held device.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical specifications, ensure that you provide specific dimensions (e.g. inches, pixels) alongside the phrase "a small display" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a small display" without context. Specify what the display is used for or its key features to make the description more informative and prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small display" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a sentence or prepositional phrase. Ludwig shows it is used to describe physical screens or panels with limited dimensions, as exemplified in contexts ranging from consumer electronics to museum exhibits.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

17%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small display" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe screens or visual interfaces that are limited in size. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as science. Its primary function is descriptive, and its register is neutral, making it suitable for both technical and everyday use. When using this phrase, it is best to provide specific dimensions or context to avoid overgeneralization and ensure clarity. Alternatives include "a compact screen" or "a miniature screen".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small screen

Synonymous replacement, using the word 'screen'.

a compact display

Replaces "small" with "compact", emphasizing the limited size of the display.

a compact screen

Synonymous replacement, using the word 'screen'.

a miniature screen

Uses "miniature" instead of "small", highlighting the diminutive nature of the screen.

a tiny screen

Substitutes "small" with "tiny", emphasizing the extremely reduced size of the screen.

a limited display

Focuses on the limited size and functionality of the display.

a modest display

Emphasizes the unassuming nature of the display.

a handheld display

Indicates the display is designed for portable devices.

a pocket-sized display

Implies the display is small enough to fit in a pocket.

a reduced-size display

Highlights the size reduction in comparison to other displays.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The device features "a small display" for easy portability" or "The information is shown on "a small display" on the device".

What is the difference between "a small display" and "a large display"?

"A small display" refers to a screen or visual output that is limited in size, while "a large display" indicates a screen or visual output that is substantial in size.

What can I say instead of "a small display"?

You can use alternatives like "a compact screen", "a miniature screen", or "a tiny screen" depending on the context.

Is "small display" grammatically correct?

Yes, ""a small display"" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to describe a display that is limited in size.