as small as possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as small as possible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is becoming as small or minimized as possible. For example: "We need to downsize our team as small as possible to save on costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The state should be as small as possible.

The Guardian - Opinion

So we've made that as small as possible.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I've tried to keep my life as small as possible.

The New York Times - Sports

Keep teams, projects, and timelines as small as possible.

Harvard Business Review

Ideally, we would make our boxes as small as possible.

The Guardian

Whenever you make a mark (label, line, etc)., make it as small as possible, but as small as possible to still be clear.

University of California, Berkeley

Our CEO was very keen to make the timelag to be as small as possible.

The Guardian - Tech

This way, the Release build stays clean and the binary size is as small as possible.

The Guardian

In competitive fencing each movement should be as small as possible".

The New York Times - Arts

So RRAM researchers must also make the cells on their chips as small as possible.

Stanford University

Well, I want to know how to keep my Google data footprint as small as possible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to minimize something, consider the audience and context to determine if the phrase "as small as possible" is appropriate or if a more precise technical term would be better.

Common error

While "as small as possible" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "minimized" or "reduced to a minimum" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as small as possible" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It expresses the degree to which something should be minimized. As indicated by Ludwig, it is generally considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

22%

Science

26%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as small as possible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to emphasize minimization across diverse fields. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Analysis reveals its prevalence in News & Media, Academia, and Science, with a neutral formality register. When using this phrase, remember to consider the specific context and ensure clarity. To avoid repetition in writing, consider alternatives like "minimized" or "reduced to a minimum". It's a valuable tool for clear communication when the goal is to reduce something to its absolute minimum.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimized to the greatest extent

Replaces the idiom with a more formal and explicit phrasing.

kept to a minimum

Uses a different verb and noun to convey the idea of limitation.

reduced as much as feasible

Substitutes "small" with "reduced" and "possible" with "feasible", implying practicality.

made as diminutive as achievable

Employs more sophisticated vocabulary, such as "diminutive" and "achievable".

limited to the barest minimum

Replaces "small" with a phrase implying essential constraint.

brought down to the lowest level

Uses different vocabulary to indicate a reduction to the minimum.

shrunk to the uttermost

Uses "shrunk" and "uttermost" for a more emphatic effect.

as compact as can be

Focuses on compactness as a form of smallness.

optimized for brevity

Highlights brevity as the goal of minimization.

streamlined for efficiency

Emphasizes efficiency through reduction.

FAQs

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

You can use "as small as possible" when describing the desired size or extent of something. For example, "We aim to keep the environmental impact "as small as possible"".

What are some alternatives to "as small as possible"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "minimized", "reduced to a minimum", or "as little as possible".

Is it grammatically correct to say "as small as possible"?

Yes, "as small as possible" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English.

What's the difference between ""as small as possible"" and "as minimal as possible"?

While both convey a similar meaning, "as small as possible" refers to physical size or extent, whereas "as minimal as possible" refers to the degree or amount. For example, you might want a device "as small as possible", but the risk "as minimal as possible".