kind of small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat or relatively small, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "The apartment is kind of small, but it has a lot of charm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

That's not the kind of small business promotion we need.

The New York Times

Still, marketing and maintenance issues are thinking kind of small.

The New York Times

"The sliced loaf," he says, "becomes a kind of small, edible promise of a better world".

The New York Times - Magazine

"But isn't it kind of small for a hunting knife?" "I don't know," I said.

The New Yorker

"We want the ones who need our kind of small setting".

The New York Times

Paper Monument is adept at this kind of small, unpretentious volume.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

That kind of small-scale approach works to a point.

The New York Times

"The Grey Album" started as an experiment, then as a kind of small-scale publicity stunt.

The New York Times - Magazine

Easton has just the kind of small-town ambience and excellent schools they wanted.

The New York Times

Hers was always the kind of small-mindedness that sensed a bigger picture.

The Guardian - Books

That kind of small-town proximity once benefited Mr. Scruggs enormously.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of small" in informal contexts where a precise measurement isn't necessary. It softens the statement, making it less absolute and more conversational.

Common error

Avoid using "kind of small" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "relatively small" or "moderately small" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of small" primarily functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase. It qualifies a noun by indicating a degree of smallness. Ludwig AI confirms this is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kind of small" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in English. As Ludwig AI indicates, it serves as an informal way to describe something that is somewhat small, often softening the statement. Predominantly found in news, media, and wiki contexts, it offers a casual alternative to more formal expressions like "relatively small". While perfectly acceptable in informal settings, it's advisable to use more precise alternatives in formal writing to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat small

Replaces "kind of" with "somewhat", resulting in a more direct and slightly more formal expression of smallness.

relatively small

Uses "relatively" instead of "kind of", implying size is being assessed in relation to something else.

rather small

Employs "rather" instead of "kind of", suggesting a slightly higher degree of smallness.

quite small

Substitutes "kind of" with "quite", intensifying the degree of smallness.

a bit small

Replaces "kind of" with "a bit", providing a more casual and less emphasized indication of smallness.

slightly small

Uses "slightly" instead of "kind of", indicating a minimal degree of smallness.

moderately small

Replaces "kind of" with "moderately", suggesting a balanced or average degree of smallness.

somewhat diminutive

Replaces "small" with "diminutive" for a more formal and precise term, and "kind of" with "somewhat".

on the smaller side

Offers an idiomatic way to express that something leans towards being small.

not particularly large

Expresses smallness by negating largeness, offering a different perspective.

FAQs

What does "kind of small" mean?

The phrase "kind of small" means something is somewhat small or relatively small. It is an informal way to express that something is not very big.

What can I say instead of "kind of small"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat small", "relatively small", or "a bit small" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "kind of small"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, although it's considered an informal expression. Ludwig AI confirms it's a usable phrase in written English.

When is it appropriate to use "kind of small"?

It's best to use "kind of small" in informal conversations or casual writing. In more formal settings, consider using alternatives such as "moderately small" or "slightly small".