appears to be small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appears to be small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that seems to have a small size or scale, often based on observation or perception. Example: "The object in the distance appears to be small, but as we got closer, we realized it was much larger than we thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first sign of their presence appears to be small red spots on the skin.

Stanford University

Regarding this function, the effect of grain size appears to be small.

Acta Materialia

Then Mr. Ouramdane takes off his shirt to reveal a necklace of what appears to be small packets of blood.

The New York Times - Arts

The authors did not provide details on the size of their data set, although data setit appears to be small.

Nature

If it appears to be small, the executive should not pursue the synergy unless the risks of corporate intervention are low.

Harvard Business Review

While the influence of the aspect ratio (height/width) on capacity appears to be small, narrow panels (high aspect ratio) have substantially higher ductility.

Structures

The second and third are, respectively, that the elastic component is magneto-sensitive, whereas the viscoelastic dependence on magnetic induction appears to be small.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

The increase in the sp3-content of the target depends strikingly on the projectile energy, while its dependence on temperature appears to be small.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Even without such encouragement, bacteria are developing resistance to antibiotics at a frightening rate.On closer examination, however, the danger appears to be small.

The Economist

Just what this may mean for human health is murky, given that the risk appears to be small and the health benefits of eating salmon, whether farm-raised or caught in the wild, are thought to be considerable.

The New York Times

The subgroup of people with neither kind of empathy appears to be small, but such people may act out their malice in ways that can feel both guileless and brutal.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appears to be small", ensure the context provides a clear basis for the appearance. For example, specify what the observation is based on, such as "Based on initial data, the impact appears to be small."

Common error

Avoid using "appears to be small" when more definitive data is available. If you have precise measurements or conclusive evidence, opt for more direct statements like "is small" or "measures small."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears to be small" functions as a qualifying statement, expressing an observation or assessment that something is of limited size or impact. Ludwig highlights that it indicates an impression rather than a definitive measurement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appears to be small" is a versatile expression used to convey that something seems to have a limited size, impact, or extent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, especially in scientific and news contexts. While "appears to be small" is a common phrase, remember to be mindful of the context and choose more definitive language when you have solid data. If you are looking for alternatives, consider options like "seems insignificant" or "suggests a limited extent" depending on the level of formality needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems insignificant

Replaces "appears to be small" with "insignificant", emphasizing a lack of importance rather than just size.

looks to be minimal

Substitutes "appears" with "looks" and "small" with "minimal", focusing on visual assessment and degree.

seems to be negligible

Uses "negligible" instead of "small", highlighting that something is so unimportant it can be disregarded.

is seemingly minor

Replaces "appears" with "seemingly" and "small" with "minor", keeping a similar level of formality.

presents as diminutive

Employs "presents" for "appears" and "diminutive" for "small", increasing the formality of the phrase.

suggests a limited extent

Rephrases the original to focus on the idea of limitation rather than size directly.

indicates a reduced scale

Shifts the focus to the concept of scale rather than direct size assessment.

is apparently modest

Uses "modest" to describe something that is limited in size or scope.

it would seem marginal

Employs "marginal" to suggest that something has minimal impact or importance.

it gives the impression of being restricted

Expresses the idea of limitation more indirectly, focusing on the overall impression.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "appears to be small" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "seems insignificant", "is seemingly minor", or "suggests a limited extent" to maintain a professional tone.

What does "appears to be small" imply about the speaker's certainty?

The phrase "appears to be small" indicates that the speaker's assessment is based on observation or initial impression, not necessarily conclusive evidence. It implies a degree of uncertainty or tentativeness.

Which is more accurate, "appears to be small" or "is small"?

The choice depends on the available evidence. Use "is small" when you have definitive measurements or data. Use "appears to be small" when relying on observation or preliminary assessment.

What's a more casual way to say "appears to be small"?

In more casual contexts, you can say "looks to be minimal" or "seems to be negligible" to convey a similar meaning with a less formal tone.