not too tall

USAGE SUMMARY

"not too tall" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that isn't too tall, for example: "She's a bit short, but not too tall either."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Not too tall.

The New Yorker

"I'm not too tall.

The New York Times

He was tall, but not too tall.

The New Yorker

"I am not too tall and handsome," he said.

The New York Times

'Medium large, not too tall and not too short?' 'Yes,' said the girl.

The Guardian

His team is not too tall, but Jarvis said the Red Storm uses its lack of size as an advantage.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

What's more, the strap hits the base of the ankle — good for people like me who aren't too tall.

The New York Times

But it still wasn't too tall for a person to scale, and on August 17, 1962, Peter Fechter, who was eighteen years old, and his friend Helmut Kulbeik decided to try.

The New Yorker

It examines six key features that make for a pleasant metropolis, including a balance between chaos and order; creating monuments that aren't too tall; and ensuring there are visible signs of activity on the streets.

The Guardian

'All Saints' wedges, £295, Alia Buckled boots, £860, Dior Wool dress, £100, Cos, www.cosstores.com The Maxi Dress I would avoid anything too prissy with a maxi; a wedge ankle boot with a gothic edge would look great, especially if you aren't too tall.

Independent

"And also one that we can actually see over, and the handlebars aren't too tall".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's height, use “not too tall” to indicate a height that is moderate and generally perceived as acceptable or average. This avoids negative connotations associated with being short or excessively tall.

Common error

Avoid using “not too tall” when you mean “short”. The phrase indicates moderation, not a lack of height altogether. Choose “short” if the subject is indeed below average height, to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "not too tall" is as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun's height is moderate or acceptable, avoiding excessive tallness. Ludwig examples show its use in describing buildings, people, and even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not too tall" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase used to indicate a moderate or acceptable height, implying that excessive height is undesirable. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and the examples show it has a neutral register and is commonly used in news, media and wiki contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure it accurately conveys moderation, rather than being used as a substitute for "short". Using semantically similar sentences such as ""average height"" or "moderately sized" can enhance clarity and precision depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not excessively tall

Emphasizes avoiding extreme tallness.

of medium height

Specifies being in the middle range of height.

average height

Directly refers to being of typical height.

not particularly towering

Highlights the absence of being imposing in height.

somewhat tall

Acknowledges some height, but not excessive.

within reasonable height

Indicates being within acceptable height limits.

not overly high

Focuses on the lack of excessive vertical extension.

moderately sized

Focuses on size as a general attribute, not specifically height.

relatively short

Suggests being closer to the shorter side of the spectrum.

manageable height

Emphasizes the practicality and ease of dealing with the height.

FAQs

How can I use "not too tall" in a sentence?

You can use "not too tall" to describe something that has a moderate height. For instance, "The building was impressive, but "not too tall" as to overshadow the surrounding structures."

What's a less direct way to say "not too tall"?

You could use phrases like "of "average height"", "moderately sized", or "within reasonable height" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "not too tall" or "average height"?

It depends on the context. "Average height" is more direct and objective. "Not too tall" implies a subjective judgment, suggesting that excessive height would be undesirable in that particular situation.

When is it appropriate to use "not too tall" instead of "short"?

"Not too tall" is appropriate when you want to suggest the height is acceptable or within a desirable range, whereas "short" implies the height is below average. For instance, describing a petunia as "not too tall" sounds better than saying the plant is short.