are not vast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not vast" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is limited in size, extent, or scope. Example: "The resources available for this project are not vast, so we need to prioritize our tasks carefully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The sums are not vast or consequential for the economy.

The New York Times

Some of Austria's nine federal states are better off than others, with Vienna getting most of the cream, but the differences are not vast.

The Economist

Throw in some liberalisation of services too, and the sum rises by $30 billion.Set against the scale of the world economy, these are not vast gains—around 0.1% of global GDP.

The Economist

But the differences between the groups are not vast, and their staffs – many of whom have links to Labour or the Liberal Democrats – are well known to each other.

The Guardian

The problem, the authors say, is that, landfills "are not vast composters; rather, they are vast mummifiers". There is biodegradation, but its pace is measured in centuries, not decades.

The New York Times - Books

It cannot be denied that cities such as Philadelphia and Chicago, and perhaps even Washington, also have a chip on their shoulder, because they are great cities that simply are not vast and varied enough to go toe to toe with New York, or, for that matter, Los Angeles.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The differences aren't vast: the cadenza, the coda and a few other passages have figuration that Copland either softened or distributed to other instruments.

The New York Times - Arts

The house itself is not vast.

The New York Times - Arts

The selection is not vast but covers a wide range.

The Guardian - Books

As popular as the Sonos systems are with some music lovers, the audience is not vast.

The New York Times

And, compared with elsewhere in Europe, the influx is not vast.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are not vast", consider the specific nuance you want to convey regarding size, scope, or degree. Choose synonyms like "extensive", "substantial", or "significant" for greater precision.

Common error

Avoid using "are not vast" when a more precise term would better describe the limitation. For example, instead of saying "The differences are not vast", consider specifying if the differences are minor, subtle, or negligible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not vast" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something lacks significant size, scope, or extent. Ludwig confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are not vast" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that serves to downplay the size, scope, or magnitude of something. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's important to consider the context and choose synonyms for greater precision. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral tone. When incorporating "are not vast" into your writing, ensure it aligns with the intended nuance and consider more descriptive alternatives for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not extensive

Replaces "vast" with "extensive", suggesting a limited scope or range.

are not huge

Uses "huge" instead of "vast", implying the scale or size isn't significant.

are not enormous

Substitutes "vast" with "enormous", indicating the magnitude is not considerable.

are not substantial

Replaces "vast" with "substantial", suggesting a lack of importance or significance.

are not significant

Uses "significant" instead of "vast", implying a lack of importance or consequence.

are not large

Replaces "vast" with "large", indicating a limited quantity or amount.

are not immense

Substitutes "vast" with "immense", implying the scale or size isn't massive.

are not sweeping

Replaces "vast" with "sweeping", suggesting a limited scope or range.

are not all-encompassing

Replaces "vast" with "all-encompassing", suggesting something isn't complete or comprehensive.

are not all that big

Informal way to express something isn't very large, replacing "vast" with "big".

FAQs

What does "are not vast" mean?

The phrase "are not vast" means that something is not very large, extensive, or significant in size, scope, or degree. It implies a limitation or a lack of immensity.

How can I use "are not vast" in a sentence?

You can use "are not vast" to describe something that is limited in size, scope, or quantity. For instance, "The resources available "are not vast", so we need to be strategic."

What can I say instead of "are not vast"?

You can use alternatives like "are not extensive", "are not huge", or "are not significant" depending on the context.

Is "are not vast" formal or informal?

"Are not vast" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "are not substantial" or "are not considerable".