is small

USAGE SUMMARY

"is small" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used as a predicate adjective to describe the subject of a sentence, indicating that the subject is not large in size, extent, or amount. Example: "The puppy is small, but he has a big personality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

– is small.

Independent

My toolbox is small.

The New Yorker

The staff is small.

The New Yorker

(2) It is small.

The Economist

The room is small.

The New York Times

How small is small?

The New York Times

The frontline is small.

The New York Times - Sports

LaVette is small and vehement.

The New Yorker

Sometimes this deficit is small.

The Economist

The art world is small.

The New Yorker

"It really is small townish.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "is small", consider whether a more specific adjective (e.g., tiny, compact, limited) would provide a clearer or more vivid picture for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "is small" without specifying why the smallness is relevant. Instead of just stating "The room is small", explain the implication: "The room "is small", making it difficult to maneuver furniture."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is small" functions primarily as a predicate adjective. It modifies the subject of a sentence, indicating its size, extent, or degree. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "is small" directly describes a noun, such as "The room "is small"" or "The population "is small"". Ludwig AI confirms it as a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is small" is a versatile and commonly used predicate adjective, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to describe the size, quantity, or extent of a subject. As seen in the examples from Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, from news reports to scientific publications, indicating a neutral register. While generally appropriate, writers should consider more precise synonyms for enhanced clarity. The phrase is very frequent, appearing most often in news and media sources. When using "is small", ensure the context makes clear the relevance of the smallness being described for optimal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is tiny

Uses a synonym of "small" that highlights extreme smallness or insignificance.

is minute

Replaces "small" with another synonym focusing on the precision and detail in smallness.

is undersized

Highlights that something is smaller than the standard or expected size.

is diminutive

Replaces "small" with a more formal and less common synonym, emphasizing the reduced size.

is miniature

Suggests a carefully crafted or scaled-down version of something.

is limited

Shifts the focus from physical size to a restricted quantity or scope.

is compact

Implies that something is small but efficiently arranged.

is negligible

Emphasizes the insignificance or unimportance of something.

is petite

Often used to describe a woman's small and slender figure.

is modest

Indicates a small amount or degree, often in a positive or understated way.

FAQs

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

The phrase "is small" can be used to describe the size, extent, or amount of something. For example, "The portion "is small"", or "The chance of winning "is small"."

What are some alternatives to saying "is small"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "is tiny", "is limited", "is negligible", or "is compact".

When is it appropriate to use "is small" in formal writing?

The phrase "is small" is generally appropriate in formal writing, but consider whether a more precise or sophisticated synonym would be more effective. For example, in scientific writing, you might use "is minute" instead.

What's the difference between "is small" and "is little"?

While both phrases indicate a reduced size, ""is small"" generally refers to physical dimensions, while "is little" can also refer to quantity or degree. For example, "The house "is small"", but "There is little time left."