is somewhat small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is somewhat small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is small to a certain degree, often implying that it is not excessively small. Example: "The room is somewhat small, but it has a cozy atmosphere that makes it feel inviting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

However, the E x/E y response ratio for this device is somewhat small.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Now, before anyone jumps down my throat, admittedly the sample size here is somewhat small — 255 ideas have been submitted to BetaBait since launch.

TechCrunch

To sum it up, the Opus is somewhat small with a 5-inch 600×800 screen along with 1GB of internal memory.

TechCrunch

(1) Schumann and Eberle (2014) showed that there is a correlation between student accounting competence and KFT (Heller and Perleth 2000) scores, although it is somewhat small (r = 0.14) compared to correlations found in other domains like mathematics (r = 0.50).

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Because the transit method requires that part of the planet's orbit intersect a line-of-sight between the host star and Earth, the probability that an exoplanet in a randomly oriented orbit will be observed to transit the star is somewhat small.

Wikipedia

First, the overall sample size in our study is somewhat small compared to other FSW studies.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The female is somewhat smaller.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the Saccopharyngidae, it is somewhat smaller but still huge.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Penguin is somewhat smaller in both markets, but its brand is huge.

The Guardian - Opinion

The new store is somewhat smaller than the one it replaces, which had 37,700 square feet.

The New York Times

Humanities degrees haven't actually declined in numbers, it's just the proportion of degrees granted is somewhat smaller.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is somewhat small", consider the context. If the degree of smallness is significant, a stronger adjective like "small" or "tiny" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "is somewhat small" when something is clearly very small. Overusing this phrase can diminish its impact, so reserve it for situations where the smallness is moderate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is somewhat small" functions as an adjectival phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that the noun's size is less than average but not extremely so. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is somewhat small" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjectival phrase to describe something that is smaller than average but not exceptionally so. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's appropriate across various contexts, including science, news media, and encyclopedias, lending a neutral tone. The phrase serves to provide a descriptive assessment without overstating the degree of smallness, with alternatives like "is a bit small" or "is slightly small" offering subtle variations in meaning. When employing this phrase, avoid using it in contexts where the smallness is extreme, as it can diminish the intended impact. This expression's versatility makes it valuable in creating balanced and accurate descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is slightly small

Replaces "somewhat" with "slightly", implying a minimal degree of smallness.

is a bit small

Simple substitution of "somewhat" with "a bit" for a more informal tone.

is rather small

Replaces "somewhat" with "rather", indicating a slightly higher degree of smallness.

is fairly small

Uses "fairly" instead of "somewhat", suggesting a moderate degree of smallness.

is quite small

Substitutes "somewhat" with "quite", indicating a notable degree of smallness.

is relatively small

Emphasizes that the smallness is relative, similar to "comparatively small".

is marginally small

Uses "marginally" instead of "somewhat", suggesting a minimal difference in size.

is comparatively small

Adds "comparatively" to emphasize that the smallness is relative to something else.

is reasonably small

Replaces "somewhat" with "reasonably", implying that the size is small but acceptable.

is on the smaller side

Expresses the idea of smallness using a more descriptive and less direct phrase.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is somewhat small"?

The phrase "is somewhat small" is suitable when you want to convey that something is small to a certain degree, but not excessively so. It suggests a moderate level of smallness.

What are some alternatives to "is somewhat small"?

You can use alternatives like "is a bit small", "is rather small", or "is slightly small" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

How does "is somewhat small" differ from "is very small"?

"Is somewhat small" implies a moderate degree of smallness, while "is very small" indicates a much higher degree. The former is less emphatic and more subtle in its description.

Is "is somewhat small" formal or informal?

The phrase "is somewhat small" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal writing might benefit from alternatives like "is relatively small" or "is comparatively small" for added precision.