is quite small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is quite small' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to contrast the size of something relative to other, larger things. For example, "The town is quite small compared to the city down the road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But in context, it is quite small.

The Economist

CONS: The second bedroom is quite small.

The New York Times

CONS: The kitchen is quite small.

The New York Times

The study, only 35.6 by 30.5 centimeters, is quite small.

The New York Times - Arts

By international standards the Canadian merchant fleet is quite small.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The risk to most individuals is quite small.

The New York Times

"But I think that the ambiguous universe is quite small".

The New York Times

In fact, his own room for manoeuvre is quite small.

The Economist

It is quite small, not adequate for laps or exercise.

The New York Times - Travel

CONS: One of the bedrooms is quite small.

The New York Times

But this inner circle is quite small: the chaebol employ only 10% of the workforce.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is quite small" when you want to emphasize that something is noticeably smaller than expected or typical. It adds a degree of understatement that can be effective in various contexts.

Common error

While "is quite small" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone sound less serious. Instead, consider stronger, more precise synonyms like "diminutive", "minuscule", or "negligible", depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is quite small" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its size or extent. It indicates that something is noticeably, but not extremely, small. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is quite small" functions as an adjective phrase indicating that something is noticeably smaller than expected, without being extremely small. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's frequently used in news, scientific and encyclopedia contexts. While versatile, avoid overuse in excessively formal writing, opting for stronger synonyms like "diminutive" or "negligible" when a more precise and impactful tone is desired. The related phrases offer variations in the degree of emphasis on the smallness, allowing for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is rather small

Uses "rather" instead of "quite", indicating a slightly lesser degree of smallness.

is fairly small

Replaces "quite" with "fairly", suggesting a moderate degree of smallness.

is somewhat small

Employs "somewhat" to denote a limited degree of smallness.

is relatively small

Adds the qualifier "relatively", indicating smallness in comparison to something else.

is comparatively small

Similar to "relatively small", but emphasizes the act of comparing.

is notably small

Highlights that the smallness is worth noticing.

is distinctly small

Emphasizes the clear and noticeable smallness.

is undeniably small

Stresses that the smallness cannot be denied or disputed.

is marginally small

Indicates that the smallness is only slight or barely noticeable.

is reduced in size

Focuses on the smallness as a result of reduction.

FAQs

How can I use "is quite small" in a sentence?

You can use "is quite small" to describe the dimensions, scope, or significance of something. For instance, "The risk of complications "is quite small"" or "The room "is quite small" for a family of five".

What are some alternatives to "is quite small"?

Alternatives include "is rather small", "is fairly small", "is somewhat small", or, for more formal contexts, using words like "diminutive" or "negligible".

Is it better to say "is quite small" or "is very small"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "is quite small" suggests a slightly more moderate degree than "is very small". "Quite" often implies a sense of understatement or qualification, whereas "very" is a direct intensifier.

What is the difference between "is quite small" and "is just small"?

"Is just small" typically describes size straightforwardly, without added emphasis or nuance. "Is quite small" implies that the smallness is noticeable or perhaps somewhat surprising, adding a layer of emphasis or qualification to the observation.