no smaller than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "no smaller than" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
Example sentence: We need to build a playground that is no smaller than 10,000 square feet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Parts of town are zoned for properties no smaller than five acres to encourage horse ownership.

The New York Times

Halftones in camera-ready form should be printed no smaller than 5" x 7" on glossy stock.

University of Pennsylvania

At first, the spacecraft were able to show identifiable objects no smaller than 100 meters ( 300 feet).

The New York Times

The individual florets ought to be large (no smaller than a nickel, ideally almost the size of a quarter).

The New York Times

For the chamber channel design, the calculations show that the tube chamber should have a diameter no smaller than the cathode electrode to obtain the best SOFC performance.

Journal of Power Sources

So far, however, the signs' circuitry is capable of producing changeable letters no smaller than two inches tall -- not exactly a portable "Moby-Dick".

The New York Times - Magazine

The numbers affected in Britain are no smaller than pertain to other protected characteristics such as gender reassignment or particular religions.

The Guardian - Opinion

And even though there are now regulations (only 50 porgies a day, no smaller than three inches), he'll stay eight hours or more, as is the custom.

The New York Times

Until last month, the Food and Drug Administration was equipped to detect concentrations of chloramphenicol no smaller than 5 parts per billion.

The New York Times

While previous studies looked at areas no smaller than the entire northeastern United States, this one covered areas as small as 2.5 square miles.

The New York Times

My tips for perfect, fluffy mash include starting with potatoes cut in fairly large pieces, certainly no smaller than a very large egg.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "no smaller than", ensure you clearly specify the unit of measurement to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The room should be no smaller than 10 square meters".

Common error

Avoid using "no smaller than" when you need to express proportion instead of absolute size. For instance, don't say "The image should be no smaller than half the page" when you mean "The image should be at least half the page's height".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no smaller than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase used to establish a lower limit or minimum requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the examples show it is used to define minimum dimensions, quantities, or values.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "no smaller than" is a grammatically correct and versatile comparative used to indicate a minimum size, amount, or value. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and it appears frequently in diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using this phrase, clearly define the units of measurement to prevent ambiguity. Remember, while "no smaller than" establishes a minimum, it doesn't specify an upper limit, unlike "no larger than". Alternatives include "at least" or "not less than", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no less in size than

Adds "in size" for clarity when referring to physical dimensions.

not less than

Replaces "smaller" with "less" to indicate a minimum quantity or value.

minimum of

Short and direct, specifying the lowest acceptable limit.

at least as big as

Emphasizes a minimum size or dimension, replacing "smaller than" with "as big as".

measuring at least

Specifically refers to a measurement being at or above a certain value.

at a minimum of

Highlights the absolute lowest acceptable quantity or dimension.

equal to or greater than

More formal and explicitly states the minimum requirement.

minimally sized at

Describes the required size from a different angle, focusing on the sizing.

of at least the same size as

More verbose, but emphasizes the minimum size requirement.

with a floor of

Figuratively indicates a minimum value or size, like a price floor.

FAQs

How can I use "no smaller than" in a sentence?

Use "no smaller than" to specify a minimum acceptable size, quantity, or value. For example, "The font size should be "no smaller than" 12 points."

What are some alternatives to "no smaller than"?

You can use phrases like "at least as big as", "not less than", or "minimum of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "not smaller than" instead of "no smaller than"?

While both are grammatically understandable, ""no smaller than"" is more common and idiomatic in English. "Not smaller than" may sound slightly awkward or overly formal.

What is the difference between "no smaller than" and "no larger than"?

"No smaller than" specifies a lower limit, while "no larger than" specifies an upper limit. For example, "The text should be no smaller than 12 points" means it can be 12 points or larger, while "The text should be no larger than 12 points" means it can be 12 points or smaller.