are small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the size of objects, groups, or quantities in a general context. Example: "The apples in the basket are small compared to the ones at the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Portions are small.

The New York Times - Food

Class sizes are small.

The New York Times

"We are small.

The Economist

THEIR numbers are small.

The Economist

The amounts are small.

The New York Times

These are small things.

The New York Times

The numbers are small.

The New York Times

They are small.

The New Yorker

They are small beer.

The Economist

But they are small.

The Economist

Industrials are small, drab stones.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are small", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what is small if it's not immediately obvious.

Common error

While grammatically sound, relying heavily on "are small" can make your writing sound simplistic. Diversify your vocabulary with synonyms like "diminutive", "compact", or "minuscule", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are small" functions as a predicate adjective. According to Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and usable in English. It modifies a noun or pronoun to describe its size or extent, as evidenced in examples like "The amounts are small" and "The three newspapers are small."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are small" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction used to describe size, quantity, or extent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, notably in news and media. While it's a straightforward phrase, it's essential to ensure clarity and consider synonyms to prevent repetitive writing. Understanding its function and register helps writers to utilize it appropriately, contributing to clear and effective communication. By focusing on precision and context, one can leverage the phrase "are small" effectively to convey information concisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are little

Offers a more informal and endearing alternative to "small".

are tiny

Emphasizes the extremely small size, more than just "small".

are diminutive

Replaces "small" with a more formal and less common synonym, emphasizing the reduced size.

are minute

Similar to "tiny" but suggests something so small it's almost negligible.

are miniature

Implies a small, often detailed, replica or representation.

are undersized

Suggests something is smaller than the usual or expected size.

are compact

Suggests something is small and efficiently arranged.

are reduced

Indicates a decrease in size compared to a previous state.

are limited

Focuses on the restricted quantity or extent rather than physical size.

are modest

Implies something is small in a humble or unassuming way.

FAQs

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

You can use "are small" to describe the size of objects, amounts, or even the scope of something. For example, "The portions at the restaurant are small" or "The political differences "are small"".

What can I say instead of "are small"?

You can use alternatives like "are tiny", "are little", "are compact", or "are limited" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is small" or "are small"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "is small" for singular subjects (e.g., "The car is small") and "are small" for plural subjects (e.g., "The cars are small").

What's the difference between "are small" and "are minor"?

"Are small" refers to physical size or quantity, while "are minor" refers to importance or significance. You might say, "The errors in the report are small", meaning they are not significant.