is smaller than even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is smaller than even" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize that something is smaller than something else, particularly in a surprising or unexpected way. Example: "The size of the new smartphone is smaller than even the previous model, which was already compact."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

At less than 1,200 cubic metres a second, this flood is smaller than even an average spring flood, let alone one of the mightier deluges of the past.

The Economist

It's the island that is smaller than even Majorca but has become not just a holiday destination for Brits in search of the usual sun, sea and STDs, but a sort of tech-house Shangri-La.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Nor that, according to the Royal Institute of British Architects' report Better Homes and Neighbourhoods, Londoners are living in the smallest rooms in Europe, and our new-builds are smaller than even space-short Holland and Japan.

The Guardian - Opinion

TETERBORO, N.J. — At 1.1 square miles, this town is smaller than Central Park — smaller even than Teterboro Airport, which spills past its borders.

The New York Times

They are translocated to leaves if their diameter is smaller than 36 nm even if it is below the detection limit.

Nanoscale Research Letters

But even that is smaller than New Zealand's 7% deficit.

The Economist

It is even smaller than Vermont's, which is smaller than that of any other state.

The New York Times

We expect ρB to be smaller than p (even within the treatment groups), because the interventions will be 'between' the baseline and follow-up assessments.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Thus, we expect NC/NU to be smaller than NA/NG even when there is no difference between MU3 G and MG3 U.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The upside was smaller than the downside, even for Andy White.

Huffington Post

Congo Free State forestry officers also noted that Abir plantations were smaller than required or even existed only on paper.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "is smaller than even", ensure that the comparison is logical and adds emphasis to the unexpected smallness. It's often more effective when describing something surprisingly diminutive.

Common error

Avoid using "is smaller than even" redundantly in close proximity to other emphasizing words or phrases. Overuse can weaken the impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your sentence structure and word choice for a more compelling narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is smaller than even" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It highlights a size difference between two entities, with "even" adding emphasis to the unexpected or surprising nature of the size disparity, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is smaller than even" is a comparative construction used to emphasize a size difference, often with an element of surprise. While grammatically correct, Ludwig AI notes that it's not the most common or idiomatic choice, suggesting that simpler alternatives like "is smaller than" or "is even smaller than" may be more effective. The phrase appears mostly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using "is smaller than even", ensure that the comparison is logical and the emphasis is intentional. Overuse can diminish its impact, so vary your language to maintain clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is comparatively smaller than

Indicates a relative comparison in size.

is considerably smaller than

Suggests a notable difference in size.

is markedly smaller than

Implies that the difference in size is easily noticeable.

is even tinier than

Emphasizes a greater degree of smallness.

is notably smaller than

Similar to 'markedly smaller' but slightly less emphatic.

is dwarfed by

Highlights a significant difference in size, where one thing is much smaller than another.

is minute compared to

Emphasizes the extremely small size relative to something else.

is a fraction of the size of

Indicates that one object is extremely small in comparison to another.

is less substantial than

Emphasizes the difference in amount or quantity instead of just size.

is significantly less than

Focuses on a numerical or measurable difference that is less than a reference point.

FAQs

What does "is smaller than even" mean?

The phrase "is smaller than even" means that something is smaller than another item, perhaps surprisingly so. The "even" adds emphasis to the comparison.

Are there alternatives to using "is smaller than even"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "is smaller than", "is even smaller than", or "is much smaller than" to convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to express.

When is it appropriate to use "is smaller than even" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize how surprisingly small something is in comparison to something else. However, be mindful of overuse, as simpler alternatives are often more effective.

Is "is smaller than even" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, the construction "is smaller than even" is not as common as other comparative phrases. Using "is smaller than" or "is even smaller than" often provides a clearer and more idiomatic expression.