a small picture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small picture" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the size of an image or illustration, indicating that it is not large in dimensions. Example: "She showed me a small picture of her dog that she had taken during their vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She included a small picture of herself.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the middle was a small picture of Sepp Blatter.

The Guardian - Sport

On the night stand, a small picture of Miles Davis.

The New York Times

"To paint a small picture is to place yourself outside your experience," he said.

The New Yorker

But what about you?" Below the words is a small picture of Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The New York Times

"Home Depot™ Presents the Police!®" I said, flashing my badge and my gun and a small picture of Ron Paul.

The New Yorker

In the corner I drew a small picture of a snail and put boxing gloves on each of the tentacles.

The New York Times

It was now just a small picture below, but that terrified Lazarus even more — no scent, no trail.

The New Yorker

"A small picture with a big name needs lots of attention, care and feeding," said Ms. Loesch.

The New York Times

"I have put a small picture of him on the underside of my helmet," Mr. Hickey said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

For example, director and actor commentaries can now include video, not just audio (the director appears in a small picture-in-picture window).

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an image on a website or application, use "a small picture" to indicate its dimensions and potential use as a thumbnail or icon.

Common error

Avoid using "a small picture" when the context requires more specific dimensions. Instead, provide measurements (e.g., 'a 5x7 inch photo') if precise sizing is important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small picture" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig examples show its use in describing physical objects, digital images, or representations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

31%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small picture" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase, typically used to describe images that are reduced in size. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its correctness isn't disputed. The phrase is versatile, appearing across various contexts from News & Media to Wiki articles. When needing to be more specific, consider alternatives like "miniature image" or "thumbnail image". Remember to be specific when precision is necessary, providing dimensions instead of just the description of "small".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a miniature image

Replaces 'small' with 'miniature', emphasizing the reduced size of the image.

a tiny photo

Substitutes 'picture' with 'photo', implying a photographic image of a small size.

a compact photograph

Uses 'compact' instead of 'small' and 'photograph' instead of 'picture', suggesting a densely packed or reduced-size image.

a pocket-sized print

Implies the picture is small enough to fit in a pocket, highlighting its portability.

a reduced-size graphic

Replaces 'small' with 'reduced-size' and 'picture' with 'graphic', focusing on the size reduction and the visual nature of the image.

a thumbnail image

Indicates a very small, often clickable, representation of a larger image.

a shrunken portrait

Replaces 'small' with 'shrunken' and 'picture' with 'portrait', suggesting a reduced-size depiction of a person.

a cropped visual

Focuses on the aspect of cropping or reducing the visual area of the image.

a downsized illustration

Replaces 'small' with 'downsized' and 'picture' with 'illustration', highlighting the reduction in size and the artistic nature of the image.

a scaled-down depiction

Emphasizes that the picture is a smaller version of something larger, focusing on proportional reduction.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small picture" to describe the size of an image, for example: "She kept "a small picture" of her family in her wallet."

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

Alternatives include "miniature image", "tiny photo", or "thumbnail image" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a small picture" or should I use another phrase?

Saying "a small picture" is perfectly correct and commonly used. However, the best choice depends on the context. Other options could be "a compact photograph" or "a pocket-sized print".

What's the difference between "a small picture" and "a thumbnail image"?

"A small picture" is a general term for an image with small dimensions, while "a thumbnail image" specifically refers to a reduced-size version of a larger image, often used for previews or quick identification.