far smaller than

USAGE SUMMARY

"far smaller than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare two items to indicate that one item is much smaller than the other. For example, "The mouse is far smaller than the cat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Smaller banks in the sample require hedging portfolios far smaller than their largest counterpart.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Bayer's pharmaceutical business is far smaller than the industry leaders'.

The New York Times

Even then, crowds far smaller than expected embarrassed the Vatican.

The New York Times

The country's space budget also remains far smaller than NASA's.

The New York Times

Sablone is also interested in the design of objects that are far smaller than buildings.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But the number of people enrolled is far smaller than the number eligible.

The New York Times

Still, the apartments are far smaller than those in most new condominium projects.

The New York Times

So far, those protests have proven mostly peaceful and far smaller than anticipated.

The New York Times

Moreover, the savings on overhead from a public plan option are far smaller than you suggest.

The New York Times

The mainframe business, while far smaller than it was, remains crucial for I.B.M.

The New York Times - Tech

Still, it's one of the smallest pterosaurs known, far smaller than many others.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "far smaller than", ensure that the context makes the comparison clear. Provide specific details or examples to highlight the magnitude of the difference.

Common error

Avoid using "far smaller than" when the size difference is negligible. This phrase is most effective when the disparity is significant and worth emphasizing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far smaller than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something as being significantly less in size, amount, or degree compared to something else. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "far smaller than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase that adds emphasis to a size difference. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's correct and usable in written English to clearly highlight that one item is significantly less than another. Predominantly found in news and media, it is also used in scientific and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure that the difference is indeed notable to justify the emphasis. Alternatives like "considerably smaller than" or "significantly smaller than" can be used if less emphasis is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much smaller than

A more straightforward and common way to express a substantial size difference.

considerably smaller than

Emphasizes the notable difference in size, suggesting a degree less intense than "far".

significantly smaller than

Highlights the importance of the size difference, adding a layer of emphasis.

substantially smaller than

Similar to 'considerably', but with a slightly more formal tone.

vastly smaller than

Indicates a very large difference in size, stronger than "far".

appreciably smaller than

Suggests the difference is noticeable and worth mentioning.

markedly smaller than

Emphasizes that the size difference is easily observed and distinct.

noticeably smaller than

Similar to 'appreciably', focusing on the ease of perceiving the size difference.

considerably less than

Shifts the focus to quantity or amount rather than physical size.

significantly less than

Similar to 'considerably less than', emphasizing the importance of the difference in quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "far smaller than" in a sentence?

Use "far smaller than" to emphasize a significant difference in size. For example, "A mouse is "much smaller than" an elephant" or "The budget for the project was "significantly less than" we anticipated".

What are some alternatives to "far smaller than"?

Alternatives include "considerably smaller than", "significantly smaller than", or "much smaller than". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "far" before "smaller than"?

No, "far" is used to add emphasis. "Smaller than" is perfectly acceptable on its own. Use "far smaller than" when you want to highlight a substantial difference.

What's the difference between "much smaller than" and "far smaller than"?

"Far smaller than" intensifies the comparison, indicating a greater degree of difference than "much smaller than". Choose "far smaller than" for more significant size disparities.