small cup

USAGE SUMMARY

"small cup" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is smaller than usual such as when saying "She poured the coffee into a small cup."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was pouring coffee into a small cup.

The New Yorker

In fact, one small cup contained 153 calories.

The New York Times - Food

A small cup of lemon ice, including tax, is $1.

The New York Times

Into each eggshell (or small cup), carefully drop a yolk.

The New York Times - Magazine

"But you cannot cook soup in small cup.

The New Yorker

A few leaves, enough to make a small cup, can cost the equivalent of $3.50.

The Economist

Its broth is served in a small cup, not a bowl like Ssam's soup.

The New York Times

He drinks coffee black, from a small cup, and spoons cereal out of a child's bowl.

The New Yorker

George drank a half-pint bowl, and a small cup was taken to his wife, upstairs.

The New Yorker

A small cup with 60 flat beads.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Chlorosplenium chlora is another small cup fungus resembling B. citrina.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying fluid amounts, follow "small cup" with a precise volume (e.g., "a small cup, about 4 ounces").

Common error

Avoid using "small cup" when a more specific size descriptor (e.g., "espresso cup", "teacup") is appropriate to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small cup" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "small" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "cup". This phrase typically identifies a drinking vessel that is smaller in size compared to a standard cup. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

34%

News & Media

31%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small cup" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a drinking vessel of reduced size. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, especially news, media, and general instructions found on wikis. While "small cup" is broadly applicable, consider using more specific terms like "espresso cup" or "demitasse cup" for precision. When writing, ensure the context clarifies whether you are specifying volume or comparing sizes. This guide provides best practices to effectively integrate "small cup" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

miniature cup

Emphasizes the diminutive size, suggesting an even smaller version than "small cup".

tiny cup

Highlights extreme smallness, implying it's exceptionally little.

little cup

A more colloquial alternative, suggesting endearment or informality.

demitasse cup

Specifically refers to a small cup used for serving espresso.

shallow cup

Focuses on the depth rather than overall size, implying it isn't very deep.

narrow cup

Highlights the width of the cup, suggesting it is not very wide.

small-sized cup

A more descriptive and less common alternative.

reduced-size cup

Emphasizes that the cup's size has been made smaller.

smaller cup

Simple comparative form, indicating it's smaller than another cup.

child's cup

Specifies the intended user, implying a size suitable for a child.

FAQs

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

You can use "small cup" to describe the size of a container. For example, "She poured the coffee into a "small cup"." or "He drank a "small cup" of tea."

What can I say instead of "small cup"?

Alternatives include "miniature cup", "tiny cup", or "little cup" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "small cup" or "smaller cup"?

"Small cup" describes the general size of the cup. "Smaller cup" implies a comparison to another cup. For example: "This is a "small cup"." versus "I'd like a "smaller cup", please."

What is the difference between a "small cup" and a "demitasse cup"?

A ""small cup"" is a general term for a cup of reduced size. A "demitasse cup" is a specific type of small cup used for serving espresso, typically holding about 2-3 ounces.