is the second smallest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is the second smallest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing sizes or quantities, indicating that something is the second in order of size from smallest to largest. Example: "Among the five boxes, the blue one is the second smallest."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

It is the second smallest of the country's provinces.

Britannica

Kinross-shire is the second smallest historic county in Scotland.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is the second smallest Swedish province, after Öland.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Uruguay is the second smallest country in South America, perched between Argentina and Brazil.

The Guardian - Travel

At just under 1,950 square-miles, Delaware is the second smallest state by land area.

The New York Times

It is the second smallest of Brazil's states and is an agricultural region in the early stages of industrialization.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

For Nokia, this is the second small acquisition in two weeks – it recently picked up mobile Web browser company Novarra.

TechCrunch

It is the seventh smallest of the U.S. states in terms of total area.

Encyclopedia Britannica

2010's summer Arctic ice minimum is the third smallest in the satellite era.

BBC

La Palma is the third smallest electric system out of the six which currently exist in the Canaries.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

The fifty euro note is the fourth smallest note measuring 140x77mm with an orange colour scheme.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing a group of items, clearly define the criteria for 'size' to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify whether you are referring to area, volume, or another measurement.

Common error

Avoid using "is the second smallest" when only two items are being compared. In such cases, "is the larger" or "is the smaller" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is the second smallest" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase used to specify the relative size of an item within a group. It indicates a ranking based on size, where one item is smaller and all others are larger, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

16%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is the second smallest" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an item's size in relation to others, indicating that one item is smaller and all others are larger. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, with a neutral formality level. To ensure clarity, define the criteria for 'size' when making comparisons. Avoid using this phrase when only two items are being compared; 'smaller' or 'larger' is more appropriate in such cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is the next to smallest

Uses 'next to' to indicate a position adjacent to the smallest, implying the same ranking.

is smaller than all but one

Alternative phrasing that highlights that only one item is smaller than the one being described.

ranks as the second littlest

Rephrases using 'ranks' to emphasize order and 'littlest' as an alternative to 'smallest'.

holds the second lowest size

Substitutes 'smallest' with 'lowest size', focusing on the measurement aspect.

is the runner-up in smallness

Utilizes the term 'runner-up' to denote second place, emphasizing the quality of being small.

sits behind only one in size

Expresses the concept of being second by indicating that only one item is smaller.

is the second least large

Employs a double negative ('least large') to convey smallness, maintaining the ordinal position.

is the second diminutive

Replaces 'smallest' with the more formal 'diminutive', retaining the ordinal ranking.

comes in second for tininess

Informal rephrasing that replaces 'smallest' with 'tininess', using 'comes in second' to rank.

second spot in the dimension

Focuses on rank by using "second spot" to convey the dimension.

FAQs

How can I use "is the second smallest" in a sentence?

The phrase "is the second smallest" is used to indicate that something is smaller than all but one other item in a group. For example, "Among the five planets, Mars "is the second smallest"."

What's the difference between "is the second smallest" and "is the smallest"?

"Is the smallest" indicates that something is smaller than all other items in a group. "Is the second smallest" means there is one item that is smaller, but all others are larger.

What can I say instead of "is the second smallest"?

You can use alternatives like "is the next smallest" or "ranks as the second littlest" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is the second smallest"?

Yes, the phrase "is the second smallest" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe something that ranks second in size from the smallest in a set.