a too small

USAGE SUMMARY

"a too small" is a correct phrase in written English.
It generally refers to something that is not large enough and can be used to modify a noun, such as in the sentence, "The shoes were a too small size for my feet."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

A too small cuff will overestimate, too large will be ineffective.

Stanford University

Mussels and clams over a too small tangle of linguine were also short on flavor.

The New York Times

Jermaine Wiggins is a too small, too slow, often-cut but loquacious tight end from East Boston, Mass.

The New York Times - Sports

A too small variance would lead to unnecessarily high computational expenses.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Due to a too small amount of RIRs for training, 'Room2Far' of SimData shows larger deviations.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

It seems that this does not cause as much problems as having a too small error estimate.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

He is wearing a lumberjack shirt, a fleece and jeans, and squeezes into a too-small chair.

The Guardian

It's a too-small brown porgy.

The New York Times

Parked in a too-small room, it has a striking and somehow funny magic realist presence.

The New York Times

Someone filming in portrait mode or making a too-small hole?

The Guardian - Tech

A weak world economy means that everyone is fighting for shares of a too-small pie.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a too small", ensure that the noun it modifies is clearly defined. For example, "a too small sample size" is more specific than just "a too small sample".

Common error

Avoid using "a too small" with uncountable nouns. For example, instead of saying "a too small amount of water", use "too small an amount of water" or "not enough water".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a too small" primarily functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that it is insufficiently sized. This function is evident in the Ludwig examples, such as "a too small sample size" and "a too small amount".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a too small" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to indicate that something is smaller than necessary or desired. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. While commonly found in scientific and news contexts, it's important to use it appropriately, especially with countable nouns. Remember to consider the clarity and specificity of the noun it modifies for effective communication. Alternatives like "insufficiently small" or "inadequately sized" can be used for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficiently small

Replaces "too" with "insufficiently", emphasizing the lack of adequate smallness.

inadequately sized

Focuses on the inadequate size, replacing "too small" with a more formal adjective.

rather small

Substitutes "too" with "rather", softening the criticism about the size.

somewhat small

Similar to "rather small", but with a slightly different nuance of degree.

a bit small

Uses a more informal and colloquial expression to indicate a slight inadequacy in size.

smaller than ideal

Expresses that the size is not optimal, implying a desired or expected size.

under the required size

Highlights the deficiency relative to a specific requirement.

below the necessary size

Similar to "under the required size", emphasizing a necessary threshold.

a slightly small

Adds the word "slightly" to minimize the emphasis on the size.

not quite big enough

Expresses the size issue from the perspective of lacking sufficient bigness.

FAQs

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

You can use "a too small" to describe something that is not large enough for a particular purpose. For example, "The study suffered from "a too small sample size" to draw definitive conclusions."

What are some alternatives to saying "a too small"?

Alternatives include phrases like "insufficiently small", "inadequately sized", or "smaller than ideal" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use "a" before "too small"?

The article "a" is necessary when "too small" modifies a singular, countable noun. If it modifies an uncountable noun or a plural noun, "a" is not needed. For example, "too small a quantity" or "too small shoes".

What's the difference between "a too small" and "too small of a"?

"A too small" is used directly before the noun it modifies. "Too small of a" is used when you want to emphasize the degree of smallness. For example, "a too small sample" versus "too small of a sample".