is very small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very small" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the size of an object, concept, or quantity that is minimal or diminutive. Example: "The particle is very small, making it difficult to observe with the naked eye."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That is very small".

The New York Times

That program is very small.

Harvard University

"The Bristol campus is very small.

Independent

This amount is very small," he said.

The Guardian

In either case, this is very small.

The New York Times

"My family is very small".

The New York Times

Interceptor is very small probe.

Acta Astronautica

What they are is very small farms.

Yale University

But the effect is very small.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But that provision is very small.

The New York Times

The second bedroom is very small.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is very small", consider the specific nuance you wish to convey: physical size, quantity, impact, or importance. Choose synonyms like "tiny", "minimal", or "negligible" for greater precision.

Common error

While "is very small" is grammatically correct, overuse can weaken your writing. In formal contexts, replace it with more precise and impactful synonyms like "minuscule", "scant", or "inconsequential" depending on the specific meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very small" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its size, quantity, or degree. As Ludwig AI shows, it often appears after a linking verb to attribute a characteristic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

33%

Science

21%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is very small" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase for describing something of minimal size, quantity, or degree. As seen across numerous examples analyzed by Ludwig AI, it finds frequent application in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While versatile, more precise synonyms might be preferred in formal writing to enhance clarity and impact. The analysis suggests a neutral register, making it suitable for general communication while emphasizing the importance of context-specific word choice for conveying subtle nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite tiny

Replaces "very small" with "quite tiny" for emphasis on diminutive size.

is extremely little

Substitutes "very small" with "extremely little", highlighting a minimal quantity or degree.

is notably minute

Replaces "very small" with "notably minute", emphasizing how tiny something is.

is particularly slight

Replaces "very small" with "particularly slight" suggesting something is barely noticeable.

is considerably less

Shifts the emphasis to a notable reduction in amount or degree.

is significantly decreased

Highlights the process of becoming smaller in a noticeable way.

is substantially reduced

Changes the focus to the action of reducing, implying a significant decrease in size or amount.

is exceptionally limited

Focuses on the restrictive nature of something being small, such as resources or availability.

is remarkably compact

Changes the focus to how efficiently something occupies space, suggesting a small size with added benefit.

is unusually narrow

Shifts the emphasis to a small width or dimension.

FAQs

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

The phrase "is very small" can be used to describe the size, quantity, or degree of something. For example, "The margin of error "is very small"," or "The risk involved "is very small"".

What are some alternatives to "is very small"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "is quite tiny", "is extremely little", or "is notably minute".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "is very small"?

"Is very small" is suitable for a wide range of contexts, from informal conversations to academic writing. However, for formal or technical writing, more precise terms might be preferred, like "is considerably less" or "is exceptionally limited".

Is there a difference between "is very small" and "is too small"?

Yes, "is very small" simply describes a size or quantity, while "is too small" implies that the size is inadequate or problematic for a specific purpose. For example, "The room "is very small"" describes the room's size, whereas "The room "is too small" for the meeting" indicates it cannot accommodate the meeting.