a small length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small length" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a measurement or dimension that is not large in size. Example: "The fabric was cut to a small length to fit the design of the dress."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The force on a small length dl of the wire depends on the orientation of the wire with respect to the field.

Britannica

A further examination of selected sections obtained from the failed-tees revealed that the tees had actually been 'fabricated' by butt-welding a small length of 18-in.

Engineering Failure Analysis

The DNA CNT complexes have a small length distribution (from 40 to 100 nm) and were attached to the surface at an ∼20° angle from the surface normal.

Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry

An example is the concentration blob model where the chain experiences excluded volume effects on a small length scale whereas these effects are screened on large length scales.

Polymer

Only a small length of filament remains after RESET, as shown in Fig. 3e.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The influence of edges is particularly obvious for a small length of graphene layer.

Nano-Micro Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

For an orthotropic laminate with four clamped edges, no exact elasticity solution is available, and the deflection values predicted by different methods have a considerable difference each other for a small length-to-thickness ratio.

Composite Structures

Oppositely, when without plate fin, a smaller length of 606 μm is beneficial to achieve the better cooling performance.

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer

For C S H samples with C/S���= 1, the organic modification occurs at a smaller length scale.

Construction and Building Materials

The Paralympic Route Network will operate throughout the week, with Games lanes reserved for athletes and officials operating variably, but along a smaller length of 8.7 miles of roads in east London.

The Guardian

That is, a good understanding of how phenomena at a smaller length scale relates to properties and behaviour at a longer length scale is necessary (from the molecular scaleup to the scale of the entire production site and commercialization).

Computers & Chemical Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small length", ensure the context clearly defines what is being measured. Provide units or a reference point for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a small length" without specifying what it's small compared to. Without context, the phrase lacks meaning. Always provide a basis for comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small length" functions as a noun phrase, modifying a noun (length) with the adjective "small". It serves to describe a dimension or extent that is limited in size. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing physical objects and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

62%

Wiki

25%

News & Media

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small length" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something with limited size or extent. Ludwig, based on numerous examples, confirms its usage across diverse contexts, including science, general knowledge and news. While versatile, ensure clarity by providing context or units of measurement. Alternatives like ""a short distance"" or ""a limited extent"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short distance

Replaces 'length' with 'distance', focusing on spatial extent.

a brief span

Uses 'span' to denote a period or extent, emphasizing brevity.

a limited extent

Emphasizes the restriction in size or scope.

a reduced size

Focuses on the size attribute being diminished.

a narrow stretch

Implies a long, thin area of limited width.

a tiny segment

Highlights the diminutive nature of the portion.

a miniature portion

Stresses the very small quantity or extent.

a negligible amount

Indicates the quantity is so small it's almost not worth considering.

a fractional part

Implies a very small piece of a larger whole.

a slight measure

Highlights the minimal degree or quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small length" to describe physical dimensions, time intervals, or abstract concepts where a limited extent is relevant. For example, "Cut "a small length" of string for the craft project".

What are some alternatives to "a small length"?

Alternatives include "a short distance", "a brief span", or "a limited extent" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to quantify "a small length"?

While not always necessary, quantifying "a small length" (e.g., "a 2-inch length") provides more precision and avoids ambiguity, especially in technical or scientific contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "a small length" instead of "a short length"?

Both phrases are similar, but "a small length" often implies a greater degree of precision or measurement compared to "a short length", which can be more general.