is relatively small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is relatively small' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two items or amounts when one is significantly smaller than the other. For example: "The population of the town is relatively small compared to other cities in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The courtroom is relatively small.

The New Yorker

But Eaton is relatively small.

The New Yorker

The program is relatively small.

The New York Times

The Togolese manufacturing sector is relatively small.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Gambian National Army is relatively small.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The cable-news universe is relatively small.

The New Yorker

"Our community is relatively small.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

All were relatively small players.

The New York Times

This apartment was relatively small.

The New York Times

It's relatively small.

The New York Times

"Commodity markets are relatively small," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is relatively small", ensure you provide a clear point of reference for comparison. This helps the reader understand what the subject is being compared to and why it's considered small in that context. For example, "This town is relatively small compared to the capital city".

Common error

Avoid using "is relatively small" without providing context or a point of comparison. Saying "the project is relatively small" lacks meaning unless the reader knows what it is small compared to. Always specify the comparison to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is relatively small" functions as a comparative descriptor. It modifies a noun to indicate that it possesses a smaller size or quantity when assessed against a specific reference point or a general expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is relatively small" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express that something is smaller in comparison to something else. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely accepted in English writing. The phrase is frequently found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. To maximize clarity, always ensure you provide a reference point for comparison. Common alternatives include "is comparatively small" and "is somewhat small". By avoiding overgeneralization and providing context, you can effectively use "is relatively small" to communicate scale and proportion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is comparatively small

Replaces "relatively" with "comparatively", indicating a comparison between two or more things.

is somewhat small

Uses "somewhat" to soften the assertion of smallness, suggesting a moderate degree.

is fairly small

Employs "fairly" to indicate a moderate degree of smallness, similar to 'somewhat'.

is quite small

Uses "quite" to amplify the smallness, suggesting a noticeable degree of small size.

is rather small

Similar to "quite small", emphasizing the degree of smallness.

is marginally small

Indicates that something is only slightly small, close to the border of being considered small.

is slightly small

Emphasizes that the degree of smallness is minimal.

is modestly small

Suggests a moderate and unassuming degree of smallness.

is subtly small

Implies that the smallness might not be immediately apparent but is still present.

is reduced in size

Uses a descriptive phrase indicating a decrease in size compared to a previous or expected state.

FAQs

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

Use "is relatively small" to indicate that something is smaller compared to something else. For example, "The company's market share "is relatively small" compared to its competitors".

What are some alternatives to saying "is relatively small"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is comparatively small", "is somewhat small", or "is fairly small", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

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

"Is relatively small" implies a comparison, while "is very small" indicates an absolute size. Use "is relatively small" when you want to highlight the size in relation to something else; use "is very small" when you simply want to state its size.

What does "is relatively small" imply?

It implies that the subject is smaller than a typical or expected size, but the degree of smallness is not extreme. The word "relatively" signals that the size is being assessed in relation to a specific benchmark or other items.