less than small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely small or insignificant, often in a comparative context. Example: "The error in the calculation was less than small, barely affecting the overall result."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Tin increases brittleness, and large bells contain less than small ones do.

Encyclopedia Britannica

New ways to design buildings, factories, and vehicles can even make big savings cost less than small ones.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The French measures, by contrast, favor big business less than small and mid-sized companies, households and low-wage earners.

The New York Times

"Major" and "minor" are the comparative forms of Latin adjectives; they mean "bigger" (than big) or "less" (than small).

The New Yorker

So why do we see so many people in this ultimatum game both offer more, and, more importantly, reject less than small amounts.

Yale University

The New Yorker, September 27 , 1958P. 29 "Major" and "minor" are the comparative forms of Latin adjectives; they mean "bigger" (than big) or "less" (than small).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

While mutual funds that invest in blue-chip stocks suffered major losses in the late summer, they fell considerably less than small-cap portfolios.

The New York Times

The big banks may have paid 35 percent less than smaller ones to finance themselves with deposits in the final quarter of 2010.

The New York Times

Though that capacity is less than smallest stadium in the MLS, Smith claims that the club have "very significant commitments that would pay for a stadium – well over $200m".

The Guardian - Sport

Burger patties were on sale recently for a dollar each, while value packages of fresh cod and salmon were a dollar a pound less than smaller amounts purchased at the fish counter.

The New York Times

The size of the bottle shows the expected inverse and strong relation with price, with larger bottles that are paid less than smaller ones.

Agricultural and Food Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less than small", consider whether a more precise term like "minuscule" or "infinitesimal" would provide greater clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "less than small" in highly formal or scientific writing. Opt for more precise and technical terms to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than small" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating a degree that is significantly below what would be considered small. Ludwig provides examples where it is used to describe impacts, quantities, or sizes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less than small" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to convey extreme insignificance. Ludwig AI shows that it appears across diverse contexts, from News & Media to Science, signifying its versatility. While the phrase is correct, it's more fitting for neutral to informal settings, as highlighted by Ludwig's analysis, and more precise terms like "minuscule" or "infinitesimal" may be preferred in more formal or technical writing. Remember to consider the context and desired level of precision when choosing whether to use "less than small" or a more specific alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smaller than negligible

Replaces 'small' with 'negligible' to emphasize the insignificance of the size.

less than insignificant

Substitutes 'small' with 'insignificant', highlighting the lack of importance.

minuscule

Uses a single word to describe something extremely small.

infinitesimal

Emphasizes the extremely small quantity or degree of something.

virtually nonexistent

Conveys that something is so small it's almost not there.

scarcely perceptible

Highlights that something is hard to notice because of its size.

of minimal consequence

Shifts the focus to the lack of importance rather than size.

barely any

An informal way to say that there is a very small amount.

a drop in the bucket

An idiomatic expression indicating a very small amount compared to what's needed.

next to nothing

An informal way to express that something is almost zero.

FAQs

How can I use "less than small" in a sentence?

You can use "less than small" to describe something that is extremely insignificant in size, amount, or degree. For example, "The impact of the change was "less than small", barely noticeable."

What are some alternatives to "less than small"?

Some alternatives include "minuscule", "infinitesimal", or "negligible", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "less than small" the same as "smaller than small"?

"Less than small" and "smaller than small" both imply something is not very large. However, "less than small" often refers to a quantity or impact, while "smaller than small" usually refers to physical size.

When is it appropriate to use "less than small" in writing?

It is suitable when you want to emphasize that something is exceptionally minimal or insignificant, often in comparison to something else. However, consider using more precise terms in technical or formal contexts.