not too large

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not too large" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is of a moderate size, neither small nor excessively large. Example: "The box is not too large, making it easy to store in the closet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Not too large to handle".

The New York Times - Books

Not too small, not too large.

The Guardian

You can go larger, but please, not too large.

The New York Times - Food

It was not too large, they said, as a percentage of the nation's economic output.

The New York Times

Yet a government can use reserves to help when trouble hits, provided private debt burdens are not too large.

The Economist

Place the apricots in a baking dish large enough to accommodate them in a single layer, but not too large.

The New York Times - Health

That means the government can run budget deficits in perpetuity, as long as they are not too large.

The New York Times

Not too large (with ≤ 50 non-hydrogen atoms).

Journal of Cheminformatics

The value of N should be appropriate, not too large.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The proposed nonlinear isolator performs well in applications where the excitation amplitude is not too large.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Criteria for establishing sample sizes that are large enough, but not too large, are discussed.

Handbook of Statistics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing dimensions or quantities, use "not too large" to indicate an upper limit that shouldn't be exceeded. For example, "Use a font size that is readable but "not too large" to save space."

Common error

While "not too large" is perfectly acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone sound less sophisticated. Vary your vocabulary by using more precise terms like "moderately sized", "appropriately sized", or "within reasonable limits" depending on the context to improve the overall quality of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not too large" primarily functions as an adjective modifier. It is used to describe a noun, indicating that its size is within acceptable or desirable limits, avoiding excessive dimensions. Ludwig provides examples across various domains illustrating this descriptive function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

24%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not too large" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express that something should be of a moderate size. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is very common and can be found in a variety of contexts, from news articles and scientific papers to wikis and general web content. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the specific context and audience when choosing between "not too large" and more formal alternatives. Be mindful of overusing the phrase in professional documents; consider replacing the sentence with synonyms such as moderately sized or appropriately sized to ensure the quality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately sized

Replaces "not too large" with a single adjective describing a size that is neither too big nor too small.

appropriately sized

Indicates that something is the right size for its intended purpose.

of a moderate size

Uses a more formal tone to express that something is within a reasonable size range.

not excessively big

Focuses on the upper limit of acceptable size, emphasizing that something is not overly large.

within reasonable limits

Indicates that something falls within acceptable boundaries of size or extent.

not overly extensive

Emphasizes that something is not too broad or wide-ranging.

comfortably sized

Suggests that something is a pleasant or convenient size.

suitably proportioned

Implies that something is sized appropriately relative to other things or its purpose.

manageable in scale

Highlights that something is not too large to be easily handled or controlled.

not too overwhelming

Indicates that something is not so large as to be intimidating or difficult to deal with.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "not too large" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "moderately sized", "appropriately sized", or "within reasonable limits" for a more sophisticated tone.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "not too large"?

The phrase "not too large" is appropriate in a wide range of contexts, from informal conversations to technical writing. It's particularly useful when setting acceptable upper limits or describing dimensions that should be within a manageable range.

What are some common synonyms for "not too large"?

Common synonyms include "moderately sized", "of a moderate size", "not excessively big", and "within reasonable limits". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "not too large" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not too large" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. Ludwig confirms its validity with numerous examples from reputable sources.