are comparatively small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are comparatively small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the size of two or more items, indicating that they are smaller in relation to each other. Example: "The new models are comparatively small when compared to the previous versions, making them easier to handle."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These errors are comparatively small when compared with field measurement errors for hydraulic conductivity, however over long river reaches these errors can amount to significant volumes of water.

Journal of Hydrology

The excess mortality rate ratios for increasing co-morbidity and increasing income deprivation are comparatively small in magnitude compared with those of stage and age, and those for sex (for lung and colorectal cancer) are close to unity.

British Journal of Cancer

The numbers in Lake Forest are comparatively small — 34 foreclosures this year compared with 11,103 in Chicago, according to the institute's tally — but the impact has been especially nerve-racking.

The New York Times

Because of this conformational priming, structural changes in the nucleotide-binding site upon ATP-binding are comparatively small when the NN and Mg-ATP-reconstructions are compared.

eLife

Whilst the numbers reported in this study are comparatively small, these risk factors would appear to be consistent when the women reported in this study are compared to the overall maternity population in Australia over a similar time period [ 22].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

But these services are comparatively small.

The New York Times

Production figures for this material are comparatively small.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But remember that the majority of these cases are comparatively small and don't require external funding.

The Guardian

Most B Corps are comparatively small players, it has to be said.

The Guardian

CON: For an apartment this big, the central living room, dining area and kitchen are comparatively small.

The New York Times

Beyond California, solar-power markets are comparatively small, so thefts are still rare — but they are spreading.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are comparatively small", ensure you're making a clear comparison. The context should implicitly or explicitly state what the subject is being compared to for the statement to be meaningful.

Common error

Avoid using "are comparatively small" without providing context for the comparison. If the basis of comparison is unclear, the phrase loses its impact and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are comparatively small" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe the size or magnitude of something in relation to something else, implying a comparison is being made. The phrase adds a layer of nuance beyond simply stating something "is small".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are comparatively small" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe items or concepts that are smaller in relation to something else. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to provide context and a sense of scale by drawing a comparison. The phrase appears across various domains, including science, news, and encyclopedias, indicating its versatility. When using this phrase, remember to provide a clear comparison point for maximum clarity. While alternatives like "are relatively small" or "are fairly small" exist, the core function remains consistent: to convey a reduced size or magnitude in relation to a specific benchmark.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are relatively small

Replaces "comparatively" with "relatively", offering a slightly less formal tone while maintaining the core meaning.

are fairly small

Substitutes "comparatively" with "fairly", suggesting a moderate degree of smallness.

are rather small

Uses "rather" in place of "comparatively", implying a noticeable but not extreme degree of smallness.

are quite small

Employs "quite" instead of "comparatively", indicating a considerable degree of smallness.

are proportionately small

Replaces "comparatively" with "proportionately", emphasizing that the smallness is relative to a specific proportion.

are modestly sized

Rephrases the entire phrase to use "modestly sized", focusing on the size aspect with a touch of understatement.

are smaller in comparison

Changes the structure to highlight the act of comparing, making the smallness a result of the comparison.

are reduced in size

Focuses on the reduction in size, implying that something was larger before.

are of a smaller scale

Shifts the focus to scale, suggesting that the size is small in relation to a larger system or framework.

are of limited extent

Replaces "small" with "limited extent", emphasizing the restricted scope or range.

FAQs

How can I use "are comparatively small" in a sentence?

You can use "are comparatively small" to describe something that is smaller than something else in the same category. For instance: "The new apartments "are comparatively small" compared to the older units in the building."

What's a good alternative to "are comparatively small"?

Alternatives include "are relatively small", "are fairly small", or "are modestly sized", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "are comparatively small" or "are relatively small"?

Both "are comparatively small" and "are relatively small" are correct. "Comparatively" suggests a more direct comparison, while "relatively" implies a broader context. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "are comparatively small" instead of just saying "are small"?

Use "are comparatively small" when you want to emphasize that something is small in relation to something else. If the size is inherently small without needing a reference point, then "are small" is sufficient.