quite small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is relatively small in size or extent, often implying a degree of modesty or understatement. Example: "The garden is quite small, but it has a charming atmosphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're quite small willies.

Independent

You're quite small (3).

The Guardian - Music

They were quite small".

The Guardian - Sport

Most are quite small.

The New York Times

"That's still quite small.

The Guardian - Tech

Quite small elephants.

The Guardian - Film

It can be quite small.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They will both be quite small.

The Guardian - Music

And that is really quite small.

The Economist

"The online market is still quite small".

The New Yorker

But in context, it is quite small.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite small" when you want to convey that something is indeed small but without exaggerating or being overly emphatic. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "quite small" is acceptable, avoid overusing "quite" in formal writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "relatively small" or "moderately small" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite small" functions primarily as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating the size or extent of something. The phrase, according to Ludwig AI, is valid and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

29%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "quite small" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that indicates something is noticeably small without being extremely so. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is perfectly acceptable in English. Its use is common across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While "quite small" is versatile, be mindful of overusing "quite" in formal writing; alternatives like "fairly small" or "relatively small" may be more suitable. The phrase offers a nuanced way to describe size or extent, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly small

Substitutes "quite" with "fairly", indicating a slightly lower degree of smallness.

relatively small

Emphasizes the size in relation to something else, implying a comparison.

somewhat small

Uses "somewhat" to suggest a moderate degree of smallness.

moderately small

Replaces "quite" with "moderately", indicating a middle-ground degree of smallness.

noticeably small

Highlights that the smallness is easily observed.

appreciably small

Suggests that the smallness is significant or worth considering.

distinctly small

Highlights that the smallness is easily observed.

on the smaller side

Indirectly indicates smallness by positioning something within a size range.

not very large

Uses a negative construction to express smallness by indicating a lack of size.

diminutive in size

Emphasizes the small size using a more formal and descriptive term.

FAQs

How can I use "quite small" in a sentence?

You can use "quite small" to describe physical dimensions, quantities, or the extent of something. For example: "The apartment was "quite small", but cozy."

What are some alternatives to "quite small"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "fairly small", "relatively small", or "moderately small".

Is it more accurate to say "very small" or "quite small"?

While both are correct, "very small" emphasizes the degree of smallness more strongly. "Quite small" suggests a noticeable but not extreme degree of smallness.

When is it appropriate to use "quite small" instead of "small"?

"Quite small" is useful when you want to add a subtle qualification to the description. It implies that something is more than just "small" but not necessarily "very small".