mice are small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mice are small" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the size of mice in a general context, such as in scientific writing or casual conversation. Example: "In the animal kingdom, mice are small compared to other mammals, making them easy prey for larger predators."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

But mice are small and furry – how much can we extrapolate these findings to humans?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The lethality phenotype, however, cannot be explained by lack of Igf2, because although Igf2 +/−(P) and Igf2 −/− mice are small (50 62%), they are viable [70], [71], [73].

Plosone

The global ablation of Fto expression in mice [14] results in high early mortality but the surviving mice are small, with reduced lean and fat mass.

Plosone

In addition, although the CLDs in the mammary epithelial cells from the Shp1fl/+ mice are small, which is typical of a mouse that has undergone secretory activation, the CLDs in the mammary epithelial cells from both the Shp1 fl/+ MMTV-Cre and the MMTV-Cre mammary glands were larger (fl/+ MMTV-Cre

Plosone

Mll1 +/− mice are small at birth and have retarded growth [10].

Chinese Journal of Cancer

Although the numbers of mice are small, the vaccine was 100% effective.

Breast Cancer Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Enteric neurons in Hand2+/– mice are smaller and decreased in number compared with WT mice.

Columbia University

Thrombi in low FVII mice are smaller, have a lower fibrin content, and are less stable than those in wild-type mice.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Neurons of Mecp2 null mice are smaller, more compactly arranged than wild type neurons [5] and present functional impairments.

Plosone

When the mice are smaller, ZEB1 haploinsufficiency does not affect adiposity, perhaps because they are growing rapidly and little fat is accumulating.

Plosone

VGF- deficient mice are smaller and thinner than wild type mice [ 29].

Aging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing research involving mice, use "mice are small" to set the context for why they are suitable models, such as ease of handling or maintenance.

Common error

Avoid stating "mice are small" as a universal truth without context. While generally true, variations exist between breeds, ages, and experimental conditions that influence size.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mice are small" serves as a descriptive statement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and functions to provide a basic characteristic of mice. Examples in Ludwig show this phrase used in scientific contexts to justify the use of mice in experiments.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mice are small" is a grammatically sound and factual statement, primarily used in scientific contexts to describe a key characteristic of mice. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples that highlight its role in justifying the use of mice in research. While simple, the phrase serves an important communicative purpose by providing context and setting the stage for more detailed explanations. Although not extremely frequent, its usage is consistent and readily understood across various registers, with the most frequent contexts being science and news reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mice are little

Replaces "small" with "little", a synonym with a slightly more endearing connotation.

mice are tiny creatures

Adds "creatures" to emphasize the animals in question and replaces "small" with "tiny" for a stronger sense of diminutive size.

mice are considerably small

Adds "considerably" to emphasize the degree of smallness.

mice are diminutive

Uses the more formal adjective "diminutive" to describe the size of mice.

mice are of a small size

Rephrases to emphasize size as a property of mice.

the mice are not large

Uses a negative construction to convey the small size of mice.

mice have a small stature

Replaces "size" with "stature", focusing on the height or build of the mice.

mice are compact

Uses "compact" to describe that mice have a small stature.

mice are miniature animals

Expresses that mice have a really small size.

mice are exiguous

Uses the less frequent word "exiguous" to imply something that is small.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "mice are small" in a scientific paper?

In scientific writing, you can use "mice are small" to justify their selection as a model organism or to explain why certain experimental setups are appropriate. For instance, you might say, "Mice are small and reproduce quickly, making them ideal for studying genetic mutations over multiple generations."

What are some alternatives to "mice are small" that still convey the same idea?

Alternatives include "mice are little", "mice are tiny creatures", or "mice are diminutive". The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is it more accurate to say "mice are small" or "mice are tiny"?

Both "mice are small" and "mice are tiny" are generally accurate. "Tiny" emphasizes a greater degree of smallness compared to "small", but the appropriateness depends on the specific context and the breed of mice being discussed.

How does the size of mice influence their use in research?

Because "mice are small", they are easy to house and maintain in large numbers, which is beneficial for studies requiring statistical power. Additionally, their compact size allows for the efficient testing of compounds and procedures.