fractionally smaller than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fractionally smaller than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are comparing sizes, quantities, or values that are slightly less than another. Example: "The new model is fractionally smaller than the previous version, making it easier to handle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Aerial photographs show that below the surrounding fields lies an amphitheatre only fractionally smaller than the great arena in Verona.

The Guardian

The eventual goal from Monaco, though, left Chelsea with a challenge only fractionally smaller than it had been at the start.

The Guardian - Sport

She is fractionally smaller than Martina Hingis, the world No1, but what wouldn't Hingis give for the power of Henin's serve.

The Guardian - Sport

The number of people who attempted to cross the sea to Italy in the first quarter of 2015 was only fractionally smaller than the number who crossed in the same period last year.

The Guardian - Opinion

This year's minimum is fractionally smaller than last year (5.10 million sq km), making summer 2014 the sixth lowest in the modern satellite record.

BBC

Backing this up, Mobile Fun has passed me new CAD designs showing the new iPhone's dimensions as 121.04 x 55.82 mm (4.8 x 2.2-inches) - fractionally smaller than the 123.8 x 58.6 mm (4.87 x 2.31-inches) of the iPhone SE.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

China Eastern Airlines currently is only fractionally smaller, in terms of fleet numbers, than China Southern, with around 750 planes.

Forbes

In 2015, a fractionally smaller number of asylum seekers reached the European Union, which has a population of more than 500 million.

The Guardian

It should also be noted that since the intensity of the simulated quasi-CW data is significantly higher than the simulated EP data, the Poisson noise itself was also fractionally smaller in the quasi-CW case.

Biomedical Optics Express

At least it's fractionally smaller.

Huffington Post

Our biggest environmental impact concerns the energy used to run our network – that's our Scope 2 emissions... flexi-working is such a fractionally small element".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fractionally smaller than", ensure the context clearly establishes what two items are being compared in size. Precision matters.

Common error

Avoid using "fractionally smaller than" when the size difference is substantial. The phrase implies a very minor, almost negligible difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fractionally smaller than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by specifying that it is slightly less in size compared to another noun. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, from comparing the size of arenas to iPhones.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fractionally smaller than" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a slight size difference between two items. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not exceedingly common, it's appropriate for formal and technical contexts where precision is key. Alternatives like ""slightly smaller than"" or ""marginally smaller than"" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember that its most effective in describing minor discrepancies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally smaller than

Emphasizes a very small difference, closely mirroring the meaning of "fractionally smaller than".

minutely smaller than

Highlights the extremely small nature of the size difference.

barely smaller than

Highlights how minimal the size difference is.

slightly less than

Indicates a minor difference in quantity or size, similar to the query but possibly suggesting a more general context.

just a bit smaller than

Emphasizes the small difference in a casual manner.

a hair smaller than

An idiomatic expression emphasizing a very minute difference.

a tad smaller than

A more informal way to express a slight difference in size.

negligibly smaller than

Indicates the difference is so small it's practically insignificant.

somewhat smaller than

Indicates a moderate difference in size, less precise than "fractionally".

imperceptibly smaller than

Focuses on the near impossibility of noticing the size difference.

FAQs

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

Use "fractionally smaller than" to describe something that is only slightly smaller than something else. For example, "The new model is "fractionally smaller than" the previous version."

What's a good alternative to "fractionally smaller than"?

Alternatives include "slightly smaller than", "marginally smaller than", or "a bit smaller than", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "fractionally smaller than" in formal writing?

Yes, "fractionally smaller than" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when precision is important. However, consider the audience and whether a simpler phrase like "slightly smaller than" would be more effective.

What is the difference between "fractionally smaller than" and "much smaller than"?

"Fractionally smaller than" indicates a very slight difference in size, while "much smaller than" suggests a considerable difference. Use "fractionally smaller than" when the difference is almost negligible; use "much smaller than" when the difference is significant.