a small enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is sufficiently small to meet a certain requirement or condition. Example: "We need to find a box that is small enough to fit in the trunk of the car."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A small enough gap.

The Guardian

It's a small enough community.

The New York Times

In general, black holes are created whenever enough matter is squeezed into a small enough space.

Harvard University

This is a small enough number to exhaust over, so the rest is pretty easy.

The New York Times

It's a small enough country, though, that this actually seems to be true.

The New York Times

Part of the problem is building one in a small enough package.

The Guardian - Tech

It is also a small enough world for them to know one another's anecdotes by heart.

The New York Times - Books

We are trying to develop a small enough acoustic sensor to track them".

The New York Times - Science

But Yakatoot is a small enough neighborhood for people to know exactly who is doing what.

The New York Times

It is a small enough world that checking credentials was easy.

The New York Times

That is a small enough signal of rectitude, considering his compensation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small enough", ensure the context clearly indicates what the object needs to be small enough for. For example, "a small enough box to fit under the bed" provides necessary context.

Common error

Avoid using "a small enough" without specifying the criteria for smallness. Saying "it needs to be a small enough size" is vague; instead, specify "a small enough size to fit in the envelope".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small enough" functions primarily as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It describes a noun by indicating that it possesses the characteristic of being small to a sufficient degree, often implying a specific purpose or requirement. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

29%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

11%

Science & Research

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small enough" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to indicate that something is sufficiently small for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. The phrase is versatile, but it's important to provide context to clarify what the object needs to be small enough for. Alternatives like "sufficiently small" or "adequately sized" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. When writing, avoid vague references and always specify the criteria for smallness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently small

Replaces "a small enough" with a more formal adjective.

suitably small

Indicates that the smallness is appropriate for a specific need.

adequately sized

Focuses on appropriate size rather than just smallness.

small enough to

Emphasizes the consequential action enabled by the size.

just small enough

Highlights the marginal nature of being small enough.

compact enough

Suggests efficient use of space.

of adequate smallness

A more formal and less common phrasing.

small to the extent

Rephrases the expression emphasizing condition of smallness.

miniature enough

Implies a very small size, possibly smaller than necessary.

reduced sufficiently

Focuses on the action of reducing to the necessary smallness.

FAQs

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

Use "a small enough" to describe something whose size is adequate for a specific purpose. For example, "We need to find "a small enough" container to carry the liquid."

What are some alternatives to "a small enough"?

You can use alternatives such as "sufficiently small", "adequately sized", or "small enough to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "small enough of a" instead of "a small enough"?

While "small enough of a" might be grammatically acceptable in some contexts, ""a small enough"" is generally more common and clearer. For instance, "a small enough sample" is preferred over "small enough of a sample."

What's the difference between ""a small enough"" and "a large enough"?

"A small enough" indicates that something needs to be below a certain size threshold, while "a large enough" indicates that something needs to be above a certain size threshold. They are opposites in terms of size requirement.