much too small

USAGE SUMMARY

"much too small" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is much smaller than it should be or is expected to be. For example: The room was much too small for the large group of people.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Feet are much too small for bodies.

The New York Times

It was much too small.

The New York Times

It's obviously much too small!

The New York Times

A lovely thing, but much too small to keep.

The New Yorker

The National Gallery and the Tate Gallery have appropriations that are much too small.

The New Yorker

The San Diego convention center is much too small to hold this event now.

The Guardian - Film

The little retro rockets we see in the film are much too small.

The Guardian - Film

They're good-sized birds — almost as tall as crows — and their quarters are much too small for them.

The New Yorker

It soon became apparent that it was much too small to have exerted any effect on Uranus's orbit.

The New York Times

But the added-worker effect is much too small to explain the sharply different job-loss rates by marital status.

The New York Times

I said no, that it was obvious they were much too small for his rather ample rear end.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "much too small" to express that something is significantly smaller than required or expected. This phrase adds emphasis compared to simply saying something is "small".

Common error

Avoid using "much too small" with adjectives that already imply a high degree of inadequacy. For example, saying "much too microscopic" might be redundant because "microscopic" already indicates extreme smallness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much too small" functions as an adjectival modifier, intensifying the adjective "small". According to Ludwig, it is correct and commonly used. It is used to express that something is significantly smaller than it should be.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

27%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "much too small" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase that intensifies the meaning of "small". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It serves to express that something is significantly smaller than required or expected, often implying a problem due to the insufficient size. While generally neutral in register, its usage spans from formal contexts to more informal settings. To enhance clarity, avoid using it with adjectives already indicating extreme smallness. Consider alternatives like "far too small" or "considerably too small" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably too small

Emphasizes the extent to which something is too small.

far too small

Highlights the degree of inadequacy in size.

significantly too small

Indicates that the smallness is noteworthy or important.

rather too small

Suggests a more moderate level of inadequacy.

well too small

Informal way to emphasize the inadequacy in size.

excessively small

Emphasizes that something is small to an extreme degree.

inadequate in size

States directly that the size is not sufficient.

patently insufficient

Indicates that the insufficiency in size is obvious.

woefully inadequate

Emphasizes the deficiency in size negatively.

decidedly undersized

Highlights that the item in question is markedly smaller than expected.

FAQs

How can I use "much too small" in a sentence?

You can use "much too small" to describe an object, space, or amount that is significantly smaller than needed or expected. For example, "The apartment was "much too small" for a family of four."

What are some alternatives to saying "much too small"?

Alternatives to "much too small" include "far too small", "considerably too small", or "significantly too small". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "much too small" grammatically correct?

Yes, "much too small" is grammatically correct. It is a common and accepted way to express that something is excessively small.

What's the difference between "too small" and "much too small"?

"Too small" indicates that something is smaller than desired or needed. "Much too small" adds emphasis, suggesting that the size difference is significant and problematic.