as small as

USAGE SUMMARY

"as small as" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is very small in comparison to something else. Example: The ant was as small as a grain of sand.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

None is quite as small as Earth.

The Economist

One was as small as 23p.

Independent

You say as small as an apple.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Items as small as watches were logged.

The New York Times

We have things as small as gerbils.

The New York Times

Some were as small as five bucks.

The New Yorker

"But they're as small as raisins.

The New York Times - Food

Kidney stones are often as small as grains of sand.

Harvard University

These features have outer diameters as small as 220 nanometers.

University of California, Berkeley

Houses in this development are as small as 32 sq.

Harvard University

Often, they are as small as one millimeter in diameter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as small as", ensure the comparison is clear and relevant to the context. Avoid vague comparisons that don't provide a useful sense of scale.

Common error

Avoid using "as small as" with items that are already known to be small. Comparing a marble to a pebble using this phrase, for example, provides little additional information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as small as" functions as a comparative expression used to indicate that something is of a very limited size, especially when drawing a comparison to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

21%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as small as" is a versatile comparative phrase used to describe something's minimal size by relating it to a familiar object or concept. Ludwig AI indicates that this expression is grammatically correct and highly prevalent in numerous contexts, particularly within News & Media, Academia, and Scientific domains. It's crucial to ensure the comparison is meaningful and the scale is appropriate for the context. Related phrases include "no bigger than" or "as tiny as", offering various ways to express diminutive size. When writing, avoid using this expression with items already known to be small to maximize clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as tiny as

Emphasizes the diminutive size using a synonym for small.

as diminutive as

Uses a more formal synonym for small, emphasizing reduced size.

as minute as

Highlights extreme smallness, implying something almost imperceptible.

no bigger than

Focuses on the upper limit of size, rather than the comparison itself.

not unlike the size of

Offers a comparison implying similarity in size without direct statement of smallness.

comparable in size to

Uses a more formal and direct comparison of size.

of similar dimensions to

Focuses on specific measurements rather than overall size.

on the scale of

Indicates the general size range, not a specific comparison.

as insignificant as

Shifts the focus from physical size to importance or impact.

in the same ballpark as

Suggests a similar, but not necessarily small, magnitude.

FAQs

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

Use "as small as" to compare the size of one object to another, for example: "The bacteria was "as small as" a nanometer."

What can I say instead of "as small as"?

You can use alternatives like "no bigger than", "as tiny as", or "as minute as" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "as small as possible" or "as little as possible"?

"As small as possible" refers to physical dimensions, while "as little as possible" refers to quantity or amount. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects what you're describing.

What's the difference between "as small as" and "smaller than"?

"As small as" makes a comparison to a specific object or size, while "smaller than" simply indicates a size difference without specifying a benchmark. For example, "a house "as small as" a closet" versus "a house smaller than the average."