on the small side

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the small side" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is smaller than average or expected in size. Example: "The apartment is on the small side, but it has a cozy feel to it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Keep the meatballs on the small side, no one wants to cut their soup.

WikiHow

But the one-bedroom, not quite 600 square feet, was on the small side.

The New York Times

It's on the small side.

The New York Times - Arts

Most desserts ($7) were on the small side.

The New York Times

The living room is on the small side.

The New York Times

The gauges are on the small side, though perfectly legible.

The New York Times

The sculpture here is on the small side.

The New York Times

Her nose was on the small side and upturned.

The New York Times - Books

The plane was on the small side, about 38 seats.

The New York Times

The kitchen is on the small side and needs updating.

The New York Times

"The gates now are a little on the small side".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the small side" when you want to gently point out that something is smaller than average, without being overly critical. For example, "The room was on the small side, but it was cozy."

Common error

While "on the small side" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Opt for more precise and professional terms like "undersized" or "compact" for enhanced clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the small side" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by indicating its size relative to an expected or average size. As Ludwig AI also indicates, it's a grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the small side" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something as smaller than average. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English and serves to soften potentially negative statements about size. Analysis of the search results reveals that it's frequently used in News & Media and can be substituted with alternatives like "rather small" or "a bit undersized". While versatile, it is advisable to use more formal alternatives in academic or professional writing for increased precision. Its widespread use across diverse contexts underscores its importance in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather small

Indicates a slight degree of smallness, emphasizing the relative size.

smaller than usual

Directly states the size is less than what is typically encountered.

somewhat diminutive

A more formal way to say small, suggesting a reduced size or scale.

a bit undersized

Suggests that something is smaller than the standard or expected size.

not very large

Emphasizes the lack of largeness, indicating a smaller size.

slightly petite

Implies a delicate smallness, often used for describing appearances or objects.

fairly little

Simple and direct way of saying something is not large.

relatively compact

Focuses on the small size in relation to its density or arrangement.

on the daintier side

Suggests something is delicate and small in a charming way.

somewhat meager

Suggests the small size is insufficient or inadequate.

FAQs

How can I use "on the small side" in a sentence?

You can use "on the small side" to describe something that is smaller than average. For instance, "The apartment was "on the small side", but it had a great view."

What are some alternatives to "on the small side"?

Alternatives include "rather small", "a bit undersized", or "slightly petite", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "on the small side" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "compact" or "undersized" in professional or academic contexts for greater precision.

What does it mean when something is described as "on the small side"?

It means that the item or space being discussed is smaller than what is considered average, typical, or desirable.