significantly smaller

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significantly smaller" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it when comparing two things and noting that one of them is much smaller than the other. For example, you could say, "The new office building is significantly smaller than the old one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That cushion is significantly smaller than that required of banks.

The New York Times

Finish Line was the minnow swallowing the whale; it was significantly smaller than Genesco.

The New York Times

Let me start with the belief that class sizes are significantly smaller.

The Guardian

"The size of those impacts is significantly smaller with appropriate controls".

The New York Times - Science

These proposed flow testing operations are significantly smaller in scope than drilling operations.

The Guardian

The crowd was significantly smaller than last year, but the park was substantially better.

The New York Times - Sports

We build the smallest new homes in Europe, significantly smaller than 100 years ago.

The Guardian

And in every case, black men represented a significantly smaller portion of those selected.

The New York Times

Italians generally work as hard as their neighbors but end up with significantly smaller financial rewards.

The New York Times

Yesterday's offering was, however, significantly smaller than what the company had originally planned.

The New York Times

In some other countries the patient-to-nurse ratio was significantly smaller.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significantly smaller", ensure that the comparison is clear and the difference in size is indeed substantial. Avoid using it for minor or negligible differences.

Common error

Don't use "significantly smaller" without a clear point of reference. Saying "This year's model is significantly smaller" is less effective than "This year's model is significantly smaller than last year's model, improving portability."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significantly smaller" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating that it is notably reduced in size compared to something else. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts to highlight substantial size differences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significantly smaller" is a commonly used phrase to express a notable difference in size. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness in various contexts, predominantly in news and scientific writing. When using this phrase, clarity and context are crucial for effective communication. Remember to emphasize substantial differences and provide a clear point of reference for the comparison. Alternatives like "considerably smaller" and "substantially smaller" can offer similar emphasis with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vastly scaled-down version

Implies a deliberate and extensive reduction in size, suggesting a modification or redesign process.

substantially reduced in size

Highlights the action of size reduction rather than just the state of being smaller.

drastically reduced footprint

Focuses on the "footprint", emphasizing the impact of size reduction in terms of space occupied, which is usually applied to product design.

considerably downsized

Highlights the action of downsizing, often used in the context of restructuring or reducing resources.

considerably more compact

Emphasizes the compactness as a key attribute alongside the size reduction, adding a nuance of efficiency or neatness.

measurably more compact

Emphasizes the measurability of the size reduction and uses "compact" to imply space-saving efficiency.

distinctly more miniature

Replaces "smaller" with "miniature" to emphasize the smallness and uses "distinctly" to highlight the clear difference.

noticeably more diminutive

Replaces "smaller" with "diminutive" to highlight the reduced size and uses "noticeably" instead of "significantly".

appreciably more petite

Substitutes "smaller" with "petite" to soften the tone and uses "appreciably" to denote a considerable difference.

markedly less extensive

Uses "less extensive" to describe size in terms of scope or coverage, suitable for abstract sizes like areas of impact.

FAQs

How can I use "significantly smaller" in a sentence?

Use "significantly smaller" to compare two items, noting a considerable size difference. For example: "The new phone is "significantly smaller", making it easier to carry."

What are some alternatives to "significantly smaller"?

Alternatives include "considerably smaller", "substantially smaller", or "noticeably smaller", depending on the context and desired emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "significantly smaller"?

Use "significantly smaller" when you want to emphasize that the size difference is not just minor, but substantial and meaningful. It's appropriate when the difference is noticeable and impacts the item's function or usability.

Is "significantly smaller" more formal or informal?

"Significantly smaller" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The choice depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of your writing.