are too small to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are too small to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is insufficient in size or capacity to achieve a certain purpose or function. Example: "The boxes are too small to fit all the items we need to transport."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Amoebas are too small to see.

The New Yorker

"We are too small to be effective.

The Guardian

Sceptics scoff that they are too small to matter.

The Economist

Some are too small to go it alone.

The Economist

Artificial satellites are too small to develop substantial tidal stresses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But they are too small to be worth discussing.

The Guardian

Most insurance companies are too small to try acquisitions themselves.

The New York Times

Many hospital deals are too small to capture regulators' notice.

The New York Times

The productions are too small to permit understudies.

The New York Times

Faraway things are too small to make out".

The Guardian - Books

Those numbers are too small to have any statistical meaning.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are too small to", ensure that the subject and the action following "to" are logically connected. For example, "The containers are too small to hold all the equipment" establishes a clear relationship between the size of the containers and their capacity to hold the equipment.

Common error

Avoid using "are too small to" when referring to abstract concepts or qualities where size is not the primary issue. For instance, instead of saying "The effort is too small to make a difference", consider alternatives like "The effort is insufficient to make a difference" or "The effort is inadequate to achieve the desired outcome".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are too small to" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase indicating a limitation in size that prevents a specific action or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples illustrating its function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are too small to" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express that something lacks the necessary size for a particular purpose. As verified by Ludwig, it is commonly found across diverse sources, including scientific journals, news articles, and academic texts. While its usage is widespread, it's important to ensure that the context relates directly to physical size or capacity and that the subject and the action are logically connected. Alternative phrases such as "are not big enough to" or "lack the capacity to" can provide stylistic variation. The frequent use of "are too small to" highlights its importance in clearly communicating limitations due to size.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aren't large enough to

Changes the structure to a negative form using 'large enough' instead of 'too small'.

are not big enough to

Replaces "small" with "big" and uses a negative construction.

are insufficiently sized to

Uses a more formal term, "insufficiently sized", to convey the same meaning.

are inadequate in size to

Employs "inadequate in size" for a slightly more descriptive alternative.

lack the capacity to

Shifts focus to the lack of capacity rather than size.

are not of sufficient magnitude to

Uses a more formal tone with "sufficient magnitude".

are too minuscule for

Replaces "small" with the more emphatic "minuscule".

are too tiny to

Substitutes "small" with "tiny" for emphasis.

do not have the dimensions to

Focuses on "dimensions" to express size.

fall short in size for

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate deficiency in size.

FAQs

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

You can use "are too small to" to describe something that lacks the necessary size for a specific purpose. For example, "These boxes are too small to hold all the books".

What phrases are similar to "are too small to"?

Similar phrases include "are not big enough to", "are insufficiently sized to", or "lack the capacity to", depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "are too small to"?

While generally correct, "are too small to" is most suitable when referring to physical dimensions. For abstract concepts, consider using alternatives that focus on sufficiency or adequacy rather than size, such as "insufficient" or "inadequate".

What is the difference between "are too small to" and "are not large enough to"?

The phrases "are too small to" and "are not large enough to" are largely interchangeable and have the same meaning. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference.