is so small that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is so small that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is extremely small to the point of having a significant effect or consequence. Example: "The particle is so small that it can only be observed with advanced microscopy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

where is so small that (1.17) is satisfied.

Advances in Difference Equations

are satisfied, where the positive parameter is so small that (1.17).

Advances in Difference Equations

The error between the original signal and the reconstructed signal is so small that could be neglected.

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

According to previous studies, the interaction of atracurium to BP is so small that can be ignored [ 26, 33].

BioMed Research International

The customer area is so small that no more than a few can stand inside.

The New York Times - Food

The knife blade is so small that it doesn't really amount to a hill of beans.

The New York Times

It is so small that at first it operated only as a takeout joint.

The New York Times - Food

In the international wine world, the region is so small that it still receives nominal attention.

The New York Times

"The team is so small that it's the way it has to work.

The Guardian - Tech

And the cafeteria is so small that lunch has to be spread over four periods.

The New York Times

The money in dispute here is so small that you have to wonder.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "is so small that", ensure the consequence or result following 'that' is clearly and logically connected to the small size. This strengthens the sentence and makes the relationship more apparent.

Common error

Avoid using "is so small that" in situations where the small size doesn't directly cause the stated outcome. Ensure there's a clear causal relationship to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is so small that" functions as a resultative clause, indicating that the small size of something causes a specific outcome or consequence. This is confirmed by Ludwig, showing frequent usage in connecting a cause (small size) to an effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is so small that" is a very common and grammatically sound construction used to highlight the consequences of something's small size. As Ludwig confirms, it is primarily found in scientific and news contexts, serving to explain how the diminutive nature of a subject impacts its attributes or interactions. While versatile, it's important to ensure the causal relationship between the small size and the stated result is clear for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is so tiny that

Replaces "small" with "tiny", emphasizing the minute size.

is so minuscule that

Replaces "small" with "minuscule", highlighting the extremely small scale.

is so diminutive that

Uses "diminutive" instead of "small", suggesting a reduction in size.

is so little that

Substitutes "small" with "little", indicating a lack of size or amount.

is of such a small size that

Adds a formal tone by specifying "of such a small size".

is so compact that

Focuses on the compactness or density of something, rather than just its size.

is of such negligible size that

Emphasizes that the size is so insignificant it can be ignored.

is so microscopic that

Highlights that the size requires a microscope to be seen.

is on such a limited scale that

Shifts the focus to the limited scale or scope of something.

is so marginal that

Indicates that something is just barely above a certain limit, focusing on insignificance.

FAQs

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

Use "is so small that" to describe something whose diminutive size directly leads to a particular result or consequence. For example, "The crack "is so small that" water can seep through but not air."

What are some alternatives to "is so small that"?

You can use alternatives like "is so tiny that", "is so minuscule that", or "is so little that", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "is so small that" or "is too small to"?

"Is so small that" typically emphasizes the consequence of the small size, while "is too small to" focuses on the inability to perform a certain action. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

What's the difference between "is so small that" and "is smaller than"?

"Is smaller than" simply compares sizes, whereas "is so small that" implies that the size has a significant effect or limitation. "The component "is smaller than" a dime" is a comparison, while "The component "is so small that" it's easily lost" describes a consequence.