small character

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small character" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a character that is physically small in size, often in the context of typography or storytelling. Example: "The book features a small character who plays a significant role in the plot despite their size."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

In addition, the small character size of the text was the main cause of visual fatigue.

Displays

He promised her, "I'm going to write you a small character".

The New Yorker

Thanks to Guinness's participation, "there wasn't a small character who wasn't a substantial actor himself," he said.

The New York Times

Six feet tall and 165 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes and a resonant voice, he was generally cast in small character parts.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet Sir Ben -- he was knighted in 2001 -- worked selectively after "Gandhi," mostly taking small character roles in television and film.

The New York Times

That led to a scattering of small character roles in films throughout the 80s and then to bigger parts: the Coen brothers cast him in Raising Arizona in 1987, which marked the start of a long-term collaboration.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

These were special-purpose scientific machines or small character-based or decimal-based machines such as the IBM 1401.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Alternatively, this year's Once, The Squid and the Whale, The Kids Are All Right, any number of small, character-driven films that gatecrashed the Oscar night party.

The Guardian - Film

However, as social media has played a growing role in campaigns, the commission has not drawn clear lines on what is required of small, character-limited political ads online.

The Washington Post

Directed by Sam Mendes, this show uses the vast scope and the small, character-defining detail of great family sagas in fiction, rendered in an iron-grip narrative that never slackens.

The New York Times

Imagine that the crown of the biggest American box-office success of all time suddenly went not to an inflated, FX-laden confection, but a small, character-driven flick — something like "Juno," for instance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In the context of typography or user interface design, make sure that the small size of the character does not impact readability or accessibility.

Common error

Avoid using "small character" when you actually mean a character with a minor role or influence. A physically small character can still be very important to the story.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small character" functions as a noun phrase where "small" is an adjective modifying the noun "character". It describes a character based on its size or perceived importance. As evidenced by Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "small character" is grammatically sound and widely used to describe a character's physical size, role, or perceived importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. While it often refers to physical size, context is crucial; "minor character" might be more fitting when discussing the character's role. Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, its neutral register makes it versatile for various writing styles. Alternatives include "minor role" and "tiny character", depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tiny character

Highlights the diminutive size of the character.

petite character

Suggests a delicately small character.

minor role

Focuses on the importance of the character's part in a play or movie, rather than the physical attributes.

compact character

Implies a neatly small and contained character.

minuscule character

Stresses the extremely small size or significance of the character.

insignificant figure

Emphasizes the lack of influence or importance of the character.

secondary character

Synonymous with supporting character, indicating a less central role.

supporting character

Refers to a character that is not the main one, often with a less important role.

brief role

Highlights the limited amount of time a character is present in a story.

background character

Focuses on a character who is present but not actively involved in the main plot.

FAQs

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

You can use "small character" to describe a character's physical size, role, or importance. For example: "The book features a "small character" who plays a significant role in the plot despite their size."

What can I say instead of "small character"?

You can use alternatives like "minor role", "insignificant figure", or "tiny character" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "small character" over "minor character"?

"Small character" is best when referring to physical size. "Minor character" is more appropriate when referring to the character's importance or role in a story.

Is "small character" the same as "supporting character"?

Not exactly. A "supporting character" has a specific function in narrative, while a ""small character"" may refer to the character's physical stature or perceived importance. They can overlap, but are not interchangeable in all contexts.