among the smallest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "among the smallest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a group of items or entities that are comparatively small in size or quantity. Example: "The blue whale is among the smallest of the whale species, despite its massive size compared to other animals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The froth is particularly evident among the smallest public companies.

The New York Times

Mycoplasmas are among the smallest of bacterial organisms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are among the smallest reptiles in the world.

The New York Times

Weighing just 9.5 ounces (269gm) she was among the smallest babies ever born in the world.

The Guardian

That makes them among the smallest galaxies that have been found.

The New York Times - Science

Some of the loveliest and the most absorbing pieces in the show are among the smallest.

The New Yorker

It is fast and extremely comfortable, even though it is among the smallest.

The New York Times

The Farr's $1.4 million purse in July was among the smallest on the L.P.G.A. tour.

The New York Times

TO be sure, Mr. Damianidis is among the smallest of actors in this saga.

The New York Times

He is, at barely 5 foot 6, among the smallest players in the league.

The New York Times - Sports

The drop is steepest among the smallest businesses, those with fewer than 10 workers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "among the smallest", ensure that the context clearly defines the larger group being referenced. For example, specify "among the smallest countries" or "among the smallest businesses" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "among the smallest" without a clear point of comparison. Saying "this is among the smallest" is vague; specify what it's smallest of to avoid confusing the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "among the smallest" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, indicating that the noun belongs to a group characterized by minimal size or quantity. This is supported by Ludwig, which highlights examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "among the smallest" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase indicating membership within a group characterized by small size or quantity. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usage across diverse contexts, primarily in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources. To enhance clarity, it is best practice to specify the group being referenced (e.g., "among the smallest countries"), avoiding overgeneralization. Alternatives include "one of the tiniest" and "included in the smallest". In essence, the phrase serves to categorize and provide descriptive detail, making it a valuable tool for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

among the tiniest

Replaces "smallest" with "tiniest", emphasizing a diminutive size.

one of the smallest

Adds "one of" to specify membership within a group of reduced size.

within the smallest

Uses "within" instead of "among", indicating inclusion in a reduced category.

among the lowest

Substitutes "smallest" with "lowest", focusing on a reduced rank or degree.

included in the smallest

Emphasizes inclusion in the group of reduced magnitude.

considered among the smallest

Adding "considered" makes explicit that it is an evaluation.

among the fewest

Changes "smallest" to "fewest", highlighting a reduced quantity or number.

ranking among the smallest

Adds the term "ranking" to put emphasis on classification.

classified as the smallest

Emphasizes classification within a grouping of reduced dimensions.

notable for being among the smallest

Highlights the noteworthiness of belonging to a group of reduced size.

FAQs

How can I use "among the smallest" in a sentence?

Use "among the smallest" to indicate that something belongs to a group characterized by its small size or quantity. For example, "This town is "among the smallest" in the county."

What are some alternatives to "among the smallest"?

You can use alternatives like "one of the tiniest", "included in the smallest", or "ranking among the smallest depending on the context."

Is it correct to say "among the smallest of all"?

Yes, saying "among the smallest of all" is grammatically correct and emphasizes that the item belongs to the group of the absolute smallest within a broader category. For instance, "This phone is "among the smallest of all" smartphones currently available."

What's the difference between "among the smallest" and "one of the smallest"?

The phrase ""among the smallest"" implies a general inclusion within a group of small items, while "one of the smallest" specifies a single item's membership in that group. The difference is subtle but can affect the emphasis of your statement.