by a small scale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by a small scale" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to describe something that is limited in size or scope, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The project was conducted by a small scale, which limited its overall impact."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The DCS concept has been subjected also to experimental validation by a small scale setup supported by electrical modelling.

Fusion Engineering and Design

A kinematic model of a parallel robot with three degrees of freedom has been developed and validated over the experimental data obtained by a small scale real prototype.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

This paper is relevant to the matter of high-velocity launch of a projectile by a small scale system that might be used to initiate high explosive (HE) or in shock phenomenology work.

Procedia Engineering

The patchy coverage of GBIF data, even over small geographic scales was illustrated by a small scale environmental niche modelling study of Cyclamen [11] that compared data from GBIF with detailed extent of occurrence maps to predict lineage extinction risk.

Plosone

We launched the online expert network ArboAntwoord, which is meant for OSH questioners, in October 2008 by a small scale campaign [ 31] http://www.arboantwoord.com.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Knowledge and behaviour change were measured by pre- and post tests conducted among 20,000 students who learned from the safety curriculum ("Little Safety Guard") supplemented by a small scale KAP survey among school students and their parents.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In this paper, we further the understanding of the device, termed Modified Friction Device (MFD) by fabricating a small scale prototype and characterizing its dynamic behavior.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Most of them acquire it fragment by fragment on a small scale, by successive developments, cellularly, like a laborious mosaic --and what better way than through the steps of understanding?

Huffington Post

Green gram, cowpea like pulses and a wide variety of other vegetables were found to be grown by some on a small scale and by a few on a larger scale.

BMC Nephrology

By working on a small scale you don't have to be afraid of wrecking the whole thing".

The New York Times - Food

By starting on a small scale, we hope to improve upon this process and expand to other institutions in need of medical education in the developing world.

Global Health Action

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to convey that something is happening or existing on a limited level, prefer the phrases "on a small scale" or "at a small scale" over "by a small scale". These alternatives are more idiomatic and widely accepted.

Common error

Avoid using "by" when "on" or "at" better fits the context. "By" typically indicates the agent or means by which something is done, not the scope or extent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a small scale" functions as a prepositional phrase, but it is not idiomatic in standard English. It attempts to modify a verb or noun, indicating the scope or manner in which something is done. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase is not correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "by a small scale" appears in various contexts, including science, news, and business, it is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI and is not idiomatic in standard written English. The intended meaning is to describe something happening in a limited scope, but better alternatives exist. Phrases such as "on a small scale" or "at a small scale" are recommended for clearer and more accepted communication. When clarity and grammatical correctness are paramount, especially in formal or professional settings, avoid "by a small scale" and opt for the suggested alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on a small scale

Replaces 'by' with 'on', creating a more standard and idiomatic prepositional phrase.

at a small scale

Replaces 'by' with 'at', resulting in a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase.

in a limited capacity

Focuses on the limited amount or scope of something.

to a limited extent

Emphasizes the degree to which something is done or present.

on a reduced level

Highlights the diminished or decreased state of something.

in a minor way

Indicates something is happening or being done in a small or insignificant manner.

on a miniature scale

Emphasizes that something is a reduced version of something else.

in a small way

Indicates limited impact or scope.

on a pilot scale

Specifically refers to a trial or experimental implementation.

on a trial basis

Highlights the experimental nature of the activity.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something happens in a limited scope?

The most common and grammatically sound ways to express that something occurs in a limited scope are "on a small scale" or "at a small scale". The phrase "by a small scale" is not considered standard English.

Can I use "by a small scale" in formal writing?

It's best to avoid "by a small scale" in formal writing. Opt for more widely accepted alternatives such as "on a small scale" or "to a limited extent" to ensure clarity and professionalism.

What's the difference between "by a small scale" and "on a small scale"?

"By a small scale" is not a standard English phrase. "On a small scale" indicates the extent or scope of an activity or project, while "by" generally refers to the means or agent.

What are some alternatives to "by a small scale" that emphasize limited scope?

Besides "on a small scale" and "at a small scale", you could use phrases like "in a limited capacity" or "to a limited extent" to convey a similar meaning.