ever smaller

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ever smaller" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is continuously decreasing in size or magnitude over time. Example: "As technology advances, devices are becoming ever smaller, making them more portable and convenient."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Ever smaller.

The New Yorker

I've always wanted to look ever smaller.

Harvard University

They are an ever smaller minority in a conservative caucus.

The New York Times

Mr. Segev's studio, however, was feeling ever smaller.

The New York Times

Self-evidently, the world is interconnected and getting ever smaller.

The Guardian - Opinion

Your eye keeps being drawn into ever smaller details.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

But bookstores are getting an ever-smaller share of sales.

The New York Times

Finally, the Government's build targets have effectively forced local council planners to permit ever-smaller homes.

Independent

There is irony in this discovery of ever-smaller local communities.

The Economist

Some fear that pharmacogenomics could cut the market for their products into ever-smaller slices.

The Economist

The march towards ever-smaller and faster chips "is starting to come unglued", says Dr Mudge.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ever smaller" to emphasize a continuous reduction in size, especially when describing trends or processes. For instance, "The company focused on producing products with an ever smaller carbon footprint."

Common error

Avoid using "ever smaller" when you simply mean 'smaller'. "Ever smaller" implies a continuing trend, not just a static comparison. Ensure the context reflects an ongoing reduction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ever smaller" primarily functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase, describing something that is continuously decreasing in size. Ludwig AI's examples show it modifies nouns like "chips", "particles", or even abstract concepts like "circles" or "reservations".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ever smaller" is a versatile adjective phrase used to emphasize a continuous trend of reduction in size or magnitude. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's commonly found in news and media, academic research, and scientific publications. Its grammatical correctness and widespread usage make it a reliable choice for describing diminishing quantities or dimensions. While alternatives exist, such as "increasingly smaller" or "progressively tinier", "ever smaller" provides a clear and effective way to convey this concept in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasingly diminutive

Replaces "ever smaller" with more formal synonyms emphasizing the shrinking quality.

progressively tinier

Substitutes "ever" with "progressively" and "smaller" with "tinier", highlighting a gradual decrease in size.

gradually shrinking

Emphasizes the gradual process of becoming smaller over time.

steadily decreasing in size

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive and literal explanation of the concept.

continually diminishing

Uses synonyms to convey the ongoing reduction, suitable for formal contexts.

becoming microscopically small

Highlights the extreme degree of smallness that is being approached.

getting littler and littler

Employs a more informal and repetitive structure to emphasize the diminishing size.

reducing incrementally

Focuses on the stepwise reduction in size, often used in technical contexts.

dwindling more and more

Uses "dwindling" to suggest a decrease, often associated with resources or numbers, but applicable to size.

waning in dimension

Replaces "smaller" with a more abstract term, dimension, emphasizing the physical aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "ever smaller" in a sentence?

Use "ever smaller" to describe something continuously decreasing in size or magnitude. For example, "As technology evolves, mobile phones become "increasingly smaller" and more powerful."

What are some alternatives to "ever smaller"?

You can use phrases like "increasingly smaller", "progressively tinier", or "gradually shrinking", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "ever smaller" formal or informal?

"Ever smaller" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives, such as "increasingly diminutive", may be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "ever smaller" and "smaller"?

"Smaller" simply indicates a comparative size. "Ever smaller" implies a continuous process of reduction over time. For instance, saying something is "ever smaller" suggests it's not just small, but constantly shrinking.