a smaller part

USAGE SUMMARY

"a smaller part" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in sentences where you want to emphasize the size or quantity of a particular part in relation to the whole. Example: "In the city, there are many neighborhoods, but the downtown district is only a smaller part of the entire urban area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it's a smaller part than many people imagine.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

There is another revelation in a smaller part.

The Guardian

A smaller part of Quellos was discontinued after the sale.

The New York Times

A smaller part of the government and party usurped power and put Zhao under house arrest.

The Guardian

Also, white-collar jobs were a smaller part of our economy then.

The New York Times

Two other providers are bidding for a smaller part of the contract.

The New York Times

A smaller part of your body makes contact for a shorter length of time.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But why don't people make investments a smaller part of their lives?

The New York Times

A smaller part of the solution is to encourage the romance of city life.

The New York Times - Magazine

Possibly, although this is likely a smaller part of the story than the other two factors.

The Washington Post

Mining and quarrying, though a smaller part of the overall economy, increased by 3.2 percent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a smaller part", ensure the context clearly establishes what the 'whole' is to provide a frame of reference for the comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "a smaller part" when the context lacks a clear reference to the overall size or scope, which can lead to confusion or misinterpretation of the relative quantity or importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a smaller part" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically as a quantifier, modifying a noun (implicit or explicit) to indicate a quantity or portion that is less than a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a smaller part" effectively communicates that something constitutes a reduced portion of a larger whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by establishing the 'whole' to provide context. Alternatives such as "a lesser part" or "a minor component" can be used to refine the meaning. Avoid using the phrase when the size difference is negligible or when there is no clear reference point for comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lesser part

Replaces "smaller" with "lesser", emphasizing a reduced degree or extent.

a reduced portion

Substitutes "smaller" with "reduced" and "part" with "portion", highlighting a decrease in quantity.

a minor component

Replaces "part" with "component" and "smaller" with "minor", emphasizing the element's relative insignificance.

a fraction

Condenses the phrase to a single word, "fraction", denoting a small portion of a whole.

a limited segment

Replaces "smaller" with "limited" and "part" with "segment", stressing the restricted scope of the element.

a negligible fraction

Adds "negligible" to emphasize the insignificant size of the fraction.

a diminutive element

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "smaller" with "diminutive" and "part" with "element".

a subsection

Emphasizes the role of the part as a section within a larger whole.

a subdivision

Highlights the division of the whole into smaller components, with the subject being one of them.

a drop in the bucket

An idiomatic expression indicating a very small and insignificant amount.

FAQs

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

Use "a smaller part" to indicate that something constitutes a reduced portion of a larger whole. For example, "Renewable energy is still "a smaller part" of the total energy consumption."

What's a good alternative to "a smaller part"?

Alternatives include "a lesser part", "a reduced portion", or "a minor component", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a smaller part"?

While grammatically correct, using "a smaller part" might be inappropriate if the difference in size is negligible. In such cases, consider alternatives like "an insignificant amount" or "a negligible portion".

How does "a smaller part" compare to "a larger part"?

"A smaller part" indicates something is less significant in size or quantity compared to the whole, while "a larger part" implies it's more significant. The choice depends on the relative size you want to emphasize.