small in number

USAGE SUMMARY

"small in number" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a group that has fewer members than expected. For example, "The graduating class was small in number due to the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Self-described anarchists are small in number.

The New York Times - Arts

(Conservatives, though small in number, would say that anything over 40percentt debt is risky).

The New York Times

Meaningful, perhaps, but "the victories are small in number, and it takes a lot of time.

The Guardian - Opinion

The fans may be small in number, but they are devoted.

The New York Times

Two million people, but the elites are small in number and they all no each other.

The New Yorker

I should clarify, Tunisia US Embassy protesters small in number, perhaps ~40.

The New York Times

"Obviously there will be crooks, but I think they're relatively small in number," Mr. Koch said.

The New York Times

Productions from Uruguay, though small in number, continued to reveal talent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Bloomberg administration said that renegade cabs remained small in number.

The New York Times

Mr. Perkins added: "They have money, but they're small in number.

The New York Times

There are also the so-called failed states, which, while small in number, are globally significant.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small in number" when you want to emphasize that a group or quantity is less than what might be expected or desired.

Common error

Avoid using "small in number" when describing something that is inherently small. For instance, saying "atoms are small in number" is incorrect because atoms are individually minuscule, not few in quantity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small in number" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by indicating a limited quantity. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small in number" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to describe a limited quantity or a reduced presence. As Ludwig AI indicates, its versatility extends across various registers, from news reports to scientific publications. When incorporating "small in number" into your writing, ensure that the context is clear and that you are emphasizing the limited nature of the quantity in question. Alternatives include ""few in number"" and "limited in number", which can add nuance depending on the specific message you wish to convey. Avoid using the phrase when describing something already known to be minuscule in size.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Few in number

Replaces 'small' with 'few', emphasizing scarcity.

Little in number

Uses 'little' to convey a small amount.

Limited in number

Focuses on the restricted quantity or amount.

Tiny in number

Emphasizes the extremely small quantity.

Minimal in number

Highlights the insignificance of the quantity.

Modest in number

Suggests a humble or unassuming quantity.

Reduced in number

Indicates a decrease in the original quantity.

Insignificant in number

Stresses the lack of importance due to the low quantity.

Short in number

Indicates a deficit or lack in quantity.

Small in proportion

Emphasizes the limited quantity in relation to something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "small in number" to describe a group or quantity that is fewer than expected. For example, "The attendees at the meeting were "few in number" due to the holiday season."

What's the difference between ""few in number"" and "small in number"?

Both phrases are very similar, but "small in number" emphasizes the size of the quantity being low, while ""few in number"" simply indicates there aren't many.

What can I say instead of "small in number"?

You can use alternatives like "limited in number", "tiny in number", or "minimal in number" depending on the context.

Is "small in number" formal or informal?

The phrase "small in number" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and everyday conversation.