actually smaller than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "actually smaller than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when making a comparison to clarify that one item is indeed less in size than another, often to counter a misconception. Example: "The new model is actually smaller than the previous version, making it easier to store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

National Statistical Agencies and Autonomous Institutions are extremely interested in using information from those areas that are actually smaller than the actual areas for which a survey is initially designed.

European Journal of Operational Research

Other festivals have floundered, and I'd say our audience is actually smaller than it was.

The New York Times - Arts

That's true, but the subsidies for green measures were actually smaller than the subsidies for nuclear power and fossil fuels.

The Guardian - Opinion

But nobody wants to find that the new giant size is actually smaller than the old giant size".

The New York Times

The premium for a PhD is actually smaller than for a master's degree in engineering and technology, architecture and education.

The Economist

These "chains" of connections were meant to show that the world, while growing in population, was actually smaller than ever.

The New York Times

Viruses, most of which are 10 to 300 nanometers long, are actually smaller than a wave of visible light.

The New York Times - Science

"But," he continued, "some laptops and certainly many netbooks are actually smaller than the so-called tablets.

The New York Times

While it was the fourth consecutive month of declines, the drop was actually smaller than Wall Street's expectations of a 3percentt decline.

The New York Times

Some Tories wonder whether the disruption is worth it, for a boost to their party's relative position that is actually smaller than they had hoped for.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, the most interesting results of the present study were that reward effects (1) were also measureable in new displays and (2) were actually smaller, rather than larger, in old displays.

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "actually smaller than" to correct a common misconception about size or to emphasize a surprising size difference.

Common error

Avoid using "actually smaller than" when the size difference is already obvious. The phrase is most effective when clarifying or correcting a misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actually smaller than" functions as a comparative qualifier. It modifies a noun or noun phrase by emphasizing that its size is less than some other reference point. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "actually smaller than" is a versatile comparative expression used to emphasize a size difference, often correcting a misconception or highlighting a surprising fact. Ludwig's analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news, scientific, and general contexts. The key is to employ it when the size difference is noteworthy and adds value to the statement. Alternative phrases like "genuinely smaller than" or "noticeably smaller than" can offer similar nuances. By avoiding its use when the size difference is obvious, writers can maximize the effectiveness of "actually smaller than" in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely smaller than

Emphasizes the authenticity of the size difference.

truly smaller than

Highlights the reality and validity of the size comparison.

in reality smaller than

Highlights the contrast between expectation and actual size.

in fact smaller than

Emphasizes the truth of the size difference, potentially contrasting with a prior assumption.

noticeably smaller than

Indicates the size difference is easily observable.

considerably smaller than

Suggests a significant size difference.

appreciably smaller than

Implies the size difference is substantial and worthy of attention.

measurably smaller than

Focuses on the fact that the size difference can be quantified.

ostensibly smaller than

Indicates a size difference that appears to be true, but might not be.

seemingly smaller than

Suggests the size difference is based on appearance.

FAQs

How can I use "actually smaller than" in a sentence?

Use "actually smaller than" to emphasize a size difference that might be surprising or contrary to expectations. For example, "Despite its advanced features, the new phone is "actually smaller than" the previous model".

What's a good alternative to "actually smaller than"?

Alternatives include "genuinely smaller than", "truly smaller than", or "noticeably smaller than", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "actually smaller than"?

While "smaller than" is sufficient in many cases, "actually smaller than" adds emphasis and can be useful when correcting a misconception or highlighting a surprising size difference.

Which is correct: "smaller than expected" or "actually smaller than"?

"Smaller than expected" describes a size relative to an expectation, while ""actually smaller than"" emphasizes the reality of the size. They serve different purposes and are both grammatically correct.