be small enough to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be small enough to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a size requirement or limitation in relation to something else. Example: "The object must be small enough to fit through the narrow opening."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And yes, they must be small enough to negotiate aisles and passing passengers.

The Economist

The prototype so-called scrubber will be small enough to fit inside a shipping container.

The Guardian

That way, each institution would be small enough to fail without having a destructive domino effect.

The Guardian - Opinion

It has to be small enough to fit into a tight space.

The New York Times - Books

The whole unit is designed to be small enough to disappear into the palm.

The New York Times

Home delivery is not available, but even rugs and furniture pieces will be small enough to carry.

The New York Times

It has between six and 12 nuclear devices, but they may not be small enough to put on a rocket.

The Economist

Finally, channel gap sizes should be small enough to minimize mass-transfer effects.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

It should be small enough to guarantee time-scale separation between the fast and slow subsystems.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

The WSSUS assumption requires that Δ r ⃗ must be small enough to ensure statistical stationarity.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

This paper describes a new virtual reality system designed to be small enough to be totally portable.

Computers & Graphics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be small enough to", ensure that the context clearly defines the threshold or requirement that the small size enables. For example, "The device must "be small enough to" fit into a standard pocket."

Common error

Avoid using "be small enough to" without specifying the context. Saying "It needs to "be small enough to" work" is too vague. Instead, clarify the context: "It needs to "be small enough to" be easily transported."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be small enough to" functions as an infinitive phrase that expresses a necessary condition based on size. It indicates that something must meet a specific size requirement in order to achieve a particular outcome or purpose. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase appears in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

17%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be small enough to" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates a necessary size condition for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability across diverse contexts, ranging from technical specifications in scientific papers to practical instructions on WikiHow. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, it's essential to clearly define the context to avoid ambiguity. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use "be small enough to" to convey precise size-related requirements and limitations. Remember to consider the various alternatives provided, such as "be sufficiently small to" or "be diminutive enough to", to enhance clarity and style in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be sufficiently small to

Replaces "enough" with "sufficiently", emphasizing adequacy in size.

be diminutive enough to

Uses "diminutive" to stress the small size required.

be compact enough to

Highlights the compactness of the object, implying small size.

be tiny enough to

Emphasizes extreme smallness using "tiny".

be little enough to

Uses "little" as a more informal synonym for small.

be reduced enough to

Focuses on the action of making something smaller until it meets a criterion.

have adequate clearance to

Shifts the focus to clearance, implying size is a factor in allowing movement or fitting.

be able to fit within

Highlights the ability to fit inside a specific space.

be conveniently sized to

Implies the small size makes the object convenient for a task.

be scaled down enough to

Emphasizes a deliberate reduction in size to meet a requirement.

FAQs

How can I use "be small enough to" in a sentence?

Use "be small enough to" to describe a necessary size requirement for a particular purpose. For example, "The components must "be small enough to" fit inside the device." or "The file must "be small enough to" be sent via email."

What are some alternatives to "be small enough to"?

You can use alternatives like "be sufficiently small to", "be tiny enough to", or "be compact enough to" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "be small enough to" and "become small enough to"?

"Be small enough to" describes a current state, while "become small enough to" describes a process of reducing in size. For instance, "The prototype must "be small enough to" fit" versus "The prototype needs to "become small enough to" fit after further modifications."

When is it appropriate to use "be small enough to" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when describing technical specifications, requirements, or limitations where size is a crucial factor. For example, in scientific papers or technical reports, stating that "the sensor must "be small enough to" integrate into the existing system" is perfectly acceptable.