got very small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got very small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has decreased significantly in size or scale. Example: "After the storm, the once expansive lake got very small, leaving only a puddle behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

You've got very small margins".

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Kerry and Mr. Obama got very small bounces.

The New York Times

The late-night talk-show potatoes have got very small.

The New Yorker

They got very small and pale after that".

The Guardian - Books

"What that really meant is that people invested large sums of money, paid all sorts of fees and interest and got very small amounts back when the accounts were closed," said Chriss.

Huffington Post

"The governor of Nevada [Sandoval], the governor of New Mexico [Martinez], even [Republican Senate candidate] Ted Cruz in Texas, they all got very small, very limited support from Latinos," de la Garza noted.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The museum usually gets "very small numbers," he said.

The New York Times

Any time after May, the odds get very small".

The New York Times

He is still a big star but the results are getting very small.

Independent

If newspapers, magazines and books start piling up, this apartment gets very small very fast.

The New York Times

Round about the 70th floor things start to get very small.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider more precise synonyms like "shrank considerably" or "diminished greatly" if a more formal or technical tone is desired.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "got very small" can sound informal in academic or professional writing. Replace it with phrases like "became significantly smaller" or "reduced substantially" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got very small" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a clause. It describes a process or change in state, specifically indicating a reduction in size. Ludwig confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got very small" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a decrease in size or scale. Ludwig indicates that while acceptable, more formal alternatives like "shrank considerably" or "diminished greatly" may be preferred in academic or professional contexts. Its frequency is noted as common, with usage concentrated in news, scientific, and wiki sources. Remember to consider your audience and desired tone when choosing between "got very small" and its more formal synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became exceptionally small

Highlights the resulting state of being very small.

reduced significantly

Indicates a substantial decrease in quantity or size.

declined sharply in size

Focuses on the rapid decrease in dimensions.

shrank considerably

Focuses on the action of shrinking to a noticeable extent.

lessened dramatically

Emphasizes a sudden and significant decrease.

diminished greatly

Highlights the reduction in size or importance.

contracted substantially

Implies a reduction in size, often due to external forces.

became minuscule

Emphasizes an extreme reduction in size.

dwindled severely

Suggests a gradual and significant decrease.

turned microscopic

Implies a reduction to a size visible only with a microscope.

FAQs

How can I use "got very small" in a sentence?

You can use "got very small" to describe a reduction in size. For example, "After the drought, the lake "got very small"".

What are some alternatives to "got very small"?

Alternatives include "became minuscule", "shrank considerably", or "diminished greatly", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "became very small" instead of "got very small"?

"Became very small" is grammatically correct and often more formal than ""got very small"". The best choice depends on the desired tone of your writing.

What does it mean when something "gets very small"?

When something "gets very small", it means that its size or quantity has decreased significantly. It implies a change from a previous, larger state.