like a small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "like a small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when making a simile to compare something to a small object or entity, often to convey a sense of size or scale. Example: "The puppy curled up on the couch like a small ball of fur."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We would like a small dog.

Huffington Post

Small rocks will like a small plastic cup.

WikiHow

It's like a small town.

The New York Times

It is more like a small orchard.

The New Yorker

Every step felt like a small triumph.

The New York Times

He was like a small furry animal.

The New Yorker

"There's only, like, a small sliver".

The New Yorker

It feels like a small dark space.

Independent

Maybe something sculptural like a small cactus".

The New York Times

Sounds like a small liberal arts college.

The New York Times

"He's like a small child.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "like a small", ensure the comparison is clear and adds descriptive value to your sentence. For instance, "The dewdrop clung to the leaf like a small diamond."

Common error

Avoid using "like a small" in contexts where the smallness doesn't contribute meaningfully to the description. For example, instead of saying "The problem was like a small issue," be specific about the nature of the issue or its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like a small" primarily functions as a comparative element within a simile, drawing a parallel between two distinct entities based on their perceived smallness. This is consistent with Ludwig AI indicating its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "like a small" functions as a comparative element in similes, serving to create descriptive comparisons by associating something with the attribute of smallness. Although Ludwig AI affirms its usability, the frequency of the expression is rare and primary contexts gravitate towards news, media, and wiki-based sources. When using "like a small", ensure the comparison is clear and descriptive. Alternatives include ""similar to a tiny"", ""resembling a petite"", and ""akin to a miniature"", offering nuanced variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on a similar scale to a small

Explicitly clarifies that the relationship is one of scale.

comparable to a tiny

Employs 'tiny' to intensify the smallness being compared.

analogous to a little

Replaces 'small' with 'little', a common synonym for size comparison.

similar to a diminutive

Replaces 'small' with 'diminutive', emphasizing reduced size.

akin to a miniature

Uses 'miniature' instead of 'small', suggesting a scaled-down version.

resembling a petite

Substitutes 'small' with 'petite', implying daintiness or elegance in size.

reminiscent of a small

Focuses on the similarity in appearance or impression to something small.

much like a compact

Uses 'compact' to describe something efficiently small.

not unlike a modest

Replaces 'small' with 'modest', suggesting limited size or extent.

on the order of a reduced

Emphasizes that the size is in a reduced scale.

FAQs

How can I use "like a small" in a sentence?

Use "like a small" to draw a comparison that emphasizes size, scale or degree. For example, "The town felt "like a small village" where everyone knew each other".

What are some alternatives to "like a small"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "similar to a tiny", "resembling a petite", or "akin to a miniature".

Is it grammatically correct to say "like a small"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "like a small" is a simile used for comparison.

What's the difference between "like a small" and "similar to a small"?

"Like a small" directly compares something to smallness, while "similar to a small" indicates a resemblance in size. The difference is subtle but the former implies more direct comparison.