be small from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be small from" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It does not convey a clear meaning and is not usable in any context. Example: "The object seems to be small from a distance." (This is a corrected version for clarity.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The follow-up period on these studies typically was one to three years, and sample sizes tended to be small (from less than 50 to over 200).

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Although θ is judged to be small from present surveillance [23], [27], [28], it remains hard to quantify with certainty.

Plosone

In this regard, the effect size of a coefficient from 0.100 to 0.200 was considered to be "small", from 0.300 to 0.500 was considered to be "medium" and 0.500 or greater was considered to be "large".

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The time-series plots at H2 6 indicate that the OBP tends to be smaller from August to November.

Earth, Planets and Space

But they expect that hikes will be smaller from 2019 onward.

Huffington Post

The drop was small, from $3.2 trillion to $3.18 trillion, but also a little mysterious.

The Economist

In one sense, the change was small, from the familiar blue and white to blue and gold for Dobbs-Hastings.

The New York Times

They didn't shrink but were small from the start – because they came from a very ancient lineage of little apemen.

The Guardian

Because the islands are small, from a half an acre to about 25 acres, they lack large predators, the kind that dine on other vertebrates.

The New York Times - Science

The beetles are small, from the genus Choresine, and live on other insects.

Vice

The snakes in question were small (from one inch to just over two inches), but still, it's enough to give us the heebie-jeebies.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "be small from" in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "appear small from" or "look small from" to convey the intended meaning.

Common error

The primary error with "be small from" is the inappropriate use of the preposition "from". "From" typically indicates a starting point or origin, while describing size requires prepositions like "compared to" or adverbs like "relatively". Replace "from" with more suitable alternatives to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be small from" functions as a descriptive phrase, attempting to describe something's size in relation to a reference point. However, due to grammatical issues, it's not functionally sound. Ludwig AI indicates it is not correct and does not make sense in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be small from" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use. Ludwig AI confirms its incorrectness. Although some examples exist across Science and News & Media, it's advisable to use alternatives like "appear small from" or "look small from" for clarity and grammatical correctness. Pay attention to using appropriate prepositions and adverbs to describe size accurately and avoid potential misunderstandings. Prioritize grammatically sound phrases to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear small from

This version corrects the grammar by adding the verb "appear" to indicate that something seems small from a certain perspective.

look small from

Similar to "appear small from", this uses "look" to express the perception of smallness from a viewpoint.

originate from a small source

This alternative focuses on the origin of something being a small entity or location, shifting the focus from size description.

come from a small place

This phrase emphasizes the origin or location of something or someone as being small.

is of limited size

This alternative uses a more formal tone to describe the small size of something.

be smaller than

This alternative emphasizes a comparison in size, rather than describing the size itself.

be reduced in size from

This alternative highlights a change in size from a prior state.

be diminutive compared to

Uses 'diminutive' to express smallness and makes a comparison.

be minor relative to

Focuses on the insignificance or smallness in comparison to something else.

be insignificant beside

This alternative highlights that something is trivial in comparison.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "be small from"?

The phrase "be small from" is grammatically incorrect. You can correct it by using alternatives such as "appear small from" or "look small from" to indicate something seems small from a certain perspective.

What is a better alternative to "be small from" when comparing sizes?

When comparing sizes, a better alternative to "be small from" is "be smaller than". This phrasing clearly indicates a size comparison between two entities.

How to express that something originates from a small source instead of saying "be small from"?

Instead of using "be small from", you can say that something "originate from a small source" or "come from a small place". These alternatives focus on the origin of something being a small entity or location.

In what contexts can "be small from" be considered acceptable?

The phrase "be small from" is generally not considered grammatically correct in formal English. While it might appear in informal contexts, it's best to replace it with clearer and more accurate alternatives like "appear small from" or "look small from".