remain small

USAGE SUMMARY

This is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when referring to the size of an object or the amount of something. For example, "The number of people in attendance at the event remained small."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Audiences remain small.

The New York Times

Most remain small and asymptomatic.

The New York Times

But the numbers remain small.

The New York Times - Health

Over all, however, numbers remain small.

The New York Times

Sex organs remain small and underdeveloped.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The odds of getting sick remain small.

The New York Times

Though the totals remain small, figures have been promising.

The New York Times - Arts

To be sure, the numbers remain small -- about 14percentt.

The New York Times

An important question is why they remain small.

The Economist

They are considering new additions but expect to remain small.

The New York Times

Any treaty change is unlikely to remain small.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remain small" to describe a desirable state, consider adding context to explain why remaining small is advantageous. For example, "The team will deliberately remain small to foster closer collaboration."

Common error

Avoid using "remain small" as a standalone statement without providing context. Always clarify why the subject is remaining small or why it's important that it does.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain small" functions primarily as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state of being or condition that persists over time. It describes the continuing state of something being of limited size, quantity, or extent. Ludwig AI provides many examples of this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remain small" is a versatile and commonly used expression denoting a continued state of limited size or scale. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance across various domains, including news, science, encyclopedias and informal documents. While seemingly straightforward, its usage can be enhanced by providing context explaining why something "remains small", for clarity and impact. Related phrases offer nuanced alternatives for specific contexts. While appearing frequently across various media types, remember that source authority, grammatical correctness and usage consistency are considered excellent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not grow significantly

Directly addresses the absence of growth or increase.

stay limited

Focuses on the restriction or constraint aspect.

persist as insignificant

Emphasizes the lack of importance or impact.

continue to be modest

Highlights the unassuming nature of the subject.

maintain a low profile

Suggests intentional inconspicuousness.

be held down

Implies a force preventing growth or expansion.

be kept in check

Highlights the active management of size or scale.

decline to expand

Suggests a conscious choice against growth.

hold steady at a minimum

Focuses on stability at a very low level.

don't get any bigger

An informal way of expressing the idea of not increasing in size.

FAQs

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

You can use "remain small" to describe a state of not increasing in size or importance, as in, "The company intends to "remain small" to maintain its personalized service."

What can I say instead of "remain small"?

Alternatives to "remain small" include "stay limited", "not grow significantly", or "persist as insignificant" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "remain small"?

It's appropriate when describing something that is intentionally kept at a reduced size, quantity, or impact, or when something naturally does not grow or expand. For example, "The risks "remain negligible"."

What's the difference between "remain small" and "stay small"?

"Remain small" implies a continuation of an existing state, while "stay small" can suggest a conscious effort to avoid growth. However, they are often used interchangeably, as "The class sizes "remain small"."