but no smaller

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but no smaller" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying a minimum size or dimension that must be met, indicating that the size should be at least a certain measurement but not less. Example: "The box must be 10 inches in length, but no smaller."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Housing associations report that many tenants wish to downsize, but no smaller homes are available.

The Guardian

A plate of rice, beans, sauteed collard greens and plantains is a lighter, vegetarian alternative, but no smaller.

The New York Times - Arts

The ambitions of the kitchen are as quiet as they were a decade ago, but no smaller for the time elapsed since Ms. Lo first introduced us to them.

The New York Times - Food

Sure, these upscale dwellings would be a bit small, but no smaller than most studio apartments in Manhattan.

Huffington Post

The truncated form still bound the C-terminus directed antibody, but no smaller immunoreactive forms of GAD were detected in the blots (not shown).

Plosone

Single-exon CNMs were clearly identified and sensitivity threshold was of 1.4 kb (but no smaller rearrangement was available in this series).

European Journal of Human Genetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But, no, a small pool of blood began to form under him as he lay there.

The New Yorker

But no small town was ever so bare of fundamental distractions as Nuremberg.

The New Yorker

Cross-index: "Apartment obsession, shifting identities, horses and goats (but no small animals), fake documentary within a fiction film, ghosts".

The New York Times

But no small business with only one or two owners can subsidise society in general, however desirable.

The Guardian

"The real problem is that there are huge blocks of industrial space, but no small studios," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but no smaller" to set a clear, non-negotiable lower bound on a measurable attribute, such as size, quantity, or age. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures compliance with minimum requirements.

Common error

Avoid using "but no smaller" in contexts where 'smaller' could be misinterpreted as referring to importance rather than physical size or quantity. In such cases, rephrase for clarity. For example, instead of saying 'The contribution may be small, but no smaller than yours', clarify by stating, 'Even though the contribution is modest, it is significant'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but no smaller" functions as a conjunctive phrase used to introduce a condition specifying a minimum size or dimension. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a standard and usable expression. It clarifies that a value or measurement must be at least a certain amount.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but no smaller" functions as a conjunctive phrase used to set a minimum limit or condition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts. While appropriate for both formal and informal communication, it's most frequently found in news media and scientific literature. When writing, remember to ensure the context clearly indicates the unit of measurement and avoid ambiguity by rephrasing if necessary. Alternatives like "but not less than" or "at least" can be used depending on the specific nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but not any less

Changes 'smaller' to 'less', focusing on quantity or degree rather than size.

but no less than

Replaces 'smaller' with 'less', making it suitable for uncountable nouns or abstract quantities.

but never less than

Uses 'never' to strongly reinforce the minimum requirement.

but at least

Focuses on establishing a minimum acceptable value.

but not lower than

Specifies a boundary that should not be crossed.

but it should be no shorter than

Replaces "smaller" for "shorter", to address more specifically the concept of length.

but not below a certain point

Refers to a specific limit that cannot be breached.

but must exceed

Implies a mandatory surpassing of a certain level.

but not under any circumstances

Emphasizes a strict prohibition, applicable in situations where a minimum threshold is essential.

but it should reach at least

Uses a more descriptive structure to communicate the minimum condition.

FAQs

How can I use "but no smaller" in a sentence?

Use "but no smaller" to specify a minimum size or dimension. For example, "The image should be 300 pixels wide, "but no smaller"" indicates the image must be at least 300 pixels wide.

What are some alternatives to "but no smaller"?

Alternatives include "but not less than", "at least", or "no smaller than". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "but no smaller than"?

Yes, "but no smaller than" is grammatically correct. It's used to emphasize a comparison, indicating something should be equal to or larger than a specified size. "The file size must be 1MB, "but no smaller than" that".

When should I use "but no smaller" versus "but not smaller"?

"But no smaller" is typically used for setting a minimum limit. "But not smaller" can be used in broader comparative contexts, but is less common. Prefer "but no smaller" when specifying a minimum requirement.