comparatively small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comparatively small" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when comparing one thing to another and noting that one is smaller than the other. For example: "The class size this semester is comparatively small compared to last."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Compared to other reports, this is a comparatively small percentage.

Conflict and Health

Japanese losses were comparatively small.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The photodissolution is comparatively small.

Electrochimica Acta

But these services are comparatively small.

The New York Times

Other than providing compensation, the State's role is comparatively small.

Cornell University

But a comparatively small number are equipped with ANPR technology.

The Guardian

Or they operated on a comparatively small scale.

The New York Times - Magazine

The statement called the $380,000 award "comparatively small".

The New York Times

There are signs that the demonstrations will be comparatively small.

The New York Times

Chinese consumers have played a comparatively small part.

The New York Times

Some are of great size, some comparatively small.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "comparatively small", ensure you've established a clear point of reference for the comparison. Without context, the phrase can be vague.

Common error

Avoid using "comparatively small" without providing a clear basis for comparison. Always ensure the reader understands what the subject is being compared to in order to gauge its relative size accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comparatively small" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun's size is less than what might be expected or is smaller than something else. As Ludwig AI explains, it establishes a comparison to understand the subject's dimensions or scale.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "comparatively small" is a frequently used adjective phrase that serves to describe something as smaller than another reference point, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its versatility allows it to fit seamlessly into various contexts, most notably news, science, and encyclopedic content. To ensure clarity, provide the basis of your comparison when using this phrase. Alternatives like "relatively small" offer similar meanings, but the specificity of "comparatively" provides a direct comparison. While widely accepted and grammatically sound, remember to provide context for the comparison to avoid vagueness. The phrase's neutral register makes it appropriate for a broad range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively small

Emphasizes the proportional difference in size compared to a reference point.

moderately small

Indicates a degree of smallness that is neither insignificant nor extremely pronounced.

somewhat small

Suggests a slight degree of smallness, implying a minor difference in size.

noticeably small

Highlights that the smallness is easily observed or detected.

measurably small

Indicates that the smallness can be determined by specific measurement.

appreciably small

Suggests the smallness is significant enough to be considered or valued.

proportionately small

Highlights the relationship between size and another related factor.

correspondingly small

Indicates that the smallness is a direct result or consequence of something else.

insignificantly small

Emphasizes that the smallness is so minimal as to be unimportant.

negligibly small

Suggests that the smallness is too insignificant to warrant attention.

FAQs

How can I use "comparatively small" in a sentence?

You can use "comparatively small" to describe something that is smaller than something else. For example, "The town's population is "comparatively small" compared to the capital city."

What are some alternatives to "comparatively small"?

Some alternatives to "comparatively small" include "relatively small", "moderately small", or "somewhat small", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "comparatively small" the same as "relatively small"?

While "comparatively small" and "relatively small" are similar, "comparatively" implies a more direct comparison to something specific, whereas "relatively" indicates a general comparison within a given context.

When is it appropriate to use "comparatively small" in writing?

Use "comparatively small" when you want to emphasize that something is smaller than another specific item or group, making sure the basis of your comparison is clear to the reader. It is suitable for formal and informal contexts.