reasonably small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonably small" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is less than the usual size, but still not tiny. For example, "The restaurant had a reasonably small menu, with only a few items to choose from".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The sample of 204 cities adequately represents global disease dynamics while also being reasonably small and providing reasonable regional coverage.

Plosone

On a reasonably small screen, this is acceptable.

The Economist

Still, these programs are reasonably small or still in development.

The New York Times

'I am happy to confirm we agreed to pay them a reasonably small amount.

The Guardian

This is a reasonably small hall, and Mr. Schiff never tried to overpower listeners.

The New York Times

"I wanted to show that for a reasonably small extra cost you can make ridiculously good energy savings," he says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The guide will entertain you with celebrity anecdotes, a smattering of history and a reasonably small number of cheesy jokes.

The New York Times - Travel

Plus, Obama has spent so little time in national politics that his circle of friends is reasonably small.

The New York Times

Even at a reasonably small scale, to our astonishment our model ended up over 45km long, with Neptune all the way in Tunbridge Wells".

The Guardian

Heather tells me there's always been a market for organic and vegan food in the area, though the core community is reasonably small.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I had a reasonably small part in Madame Butterfly, which was at the Albert Hall; I was in Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang, which was at the Palladium.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reasonably small", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for what is considered 'small'. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the description.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonably small" when the object or concept is, in fact, significantly smaller than average. Choose a more accurate descriptor like "tiny" or "minuscule" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonably small" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that the noun's size is less than average but not extremely so. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in its analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reasonably small" is a common and grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe something that is less than average in size, but not extremely so. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and widely applicable. It is frequently found in scientific and news contexts, making it a versatile choice for descriptive writing. When using "reasonably small", consider the context to ensure the degree of smallness is accurately conveyed, and be mindful of overstating or understating the actual size. Alternatives such as "moderately sized" or "relatively small" can offer similar meanings with slight differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately sized

Replaces "reasonably" with "moderately", indicating a similar degree of smallness.

relatively small

Substitutes "reasonably" with "relatively", suggesting a comparison to something larger.

comparatively small

Uses "comparatively" instead of "reasonably", highlighting a comparison with other items.

fairly small

Replaces "reasonably" with "fairly", implying a similar degree of smallness but with slightly less precision.

somewhat small

Uses "somewhat" instead of "reasonably", indicating a slightly weaker degree of smallness.

quite small

Emphasizes the smallness more than "reasonably small".

slightly small

Indicates a marginal degree of smallness compared to what is expected.

on the smaller side

Expresses the concept of smallness in a more descriptive, less direct way.

not very large

Uses a negative construction to convey a similar meaning, focusing on the absence of largeness.

of modest size

Replaces "small" with "modest size", providing a more formal alternative.

FAQs

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

You can use "reasonably small" to describe something that is less than the usual size but not tiny. For example, "The company started with a "reasonably small" budget."

What are some alternatives to "reasonably small"?

Alternatives include "moderately sized", "relatively small", or "fairly small", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "somewhat small" instead of "reasonably small"?

Yes, "somewhat small" is a valid alternative, although it might suggest a slightly lesser degree of smallness than "reasonably small".

What's the difference between "reasonably small" and "quite small"?

"Quite small" emphasizes the smallness more strongly than "reasonably small", suggesting a greater deviation from the average size.