small in scope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small in scope" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
For example, you can say: "The study was relatively small in scope, so it was not able to provide a complete analysis of the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

They'll be small in scope, esoteric in subject and screened mostly in art houses.

The New York Times - Magazine

Think Small The Ridder Miniatures Museum may be small in scope, but it thinks big in design.

The New York Times

Enacted state's first program of sending drug offenders to treatment rather than prison, but it is small in scope.

The New York Times

The S.E.C.'s original investigation into the trading incident was small in scope, according to lawyers briefed on the case.

The New York Times

The first few patterns were small in scope (often referred to as "design idioms" instead of "design patterns").

Design Patterns for Embedded Systems in C An Embedded Software Engineering Toolkit

Some are relatively small in scope, including a proposal from the Independent Schools Council that would involve no more than 2% of the private-school population.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"The Promise," however, is much smaller in scope.

The New York Times - Arts

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

The Guardian

"The intent is the same, though smaller in scope," Ferguson said.

The Guardian

AAAS, the American Association for the Advancement of Science is much smaller in scope than Springer Nature and Elsevier.

University of California, Berkeley

Hussein Chalayan's collection was smaller in scope, but sharp in its bite.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "small in scope" with specific details to provide a clearer picture. For example: "The initial investigation was small in scope, focusing only on the accounting department".

Common error

Avoid assuming that being "small in scope" automatically equates to being insignificant. Even limited projects can yield valuable insights or lay the groundwork for larger initiatives. Instead, explain the study limitations of your "small in scope" initiative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small in scope" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is limited in its extent, range, or scale. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of this phrase, showcasing its established usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small in scope" is a grammatically sound phrase used to accurately describe limitations or reduced scale. As Ludwig AI indicates, it finds frequent use across diverse domains. Its primary function is to provide context and manage expectations, commonly found in News & Media and Scientific sources. When using "small in scope", remember to clarify specific limitations and not assume that it implies insignificance. Alternatives include "limited in scale" or "narrow in focus", but the best choice depends on the nuances you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited in scale

Focuses on the physical dimensions or extent of something.

narrow in focus

Emphasizes a restricted range of attention or subject matter.

modest in extent

Highlights the limited degree or reach of something.

restricted in range

Suggests a confined or curtailed scope of operation or activity.

circumscribed in area

Implies a boundary or limit to the physical space or domain.

localized in effect

Indicates that the impact is limited to a specific region or group.

contained in impact

Stresses that the consequences are controlled or not widespread.

bite-sized

Suggests that the task or portion is small and can be completed in one sitting.

miniaturized

The project is reduced in size.

confined

Highlights that the project is restricted in boundary.

FAQs

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

You can use "small in scope" to describe something limited in range or extent, such as "The initial study was "small in scope", focusing only on a specific demographic".

What are some alternatives to saying "small in scope"?

Alternatives include "limited in scale", "narrow in focus", or "modest in extent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it negative to describe something as "small in scope"?

Not necessarily. Describing something as "small in scope" is simply a factual statement about its limitations. It's important to provide context to avoid negative connotations. Always explain that the investigation was "small in scope".

When is it appropriate to use "small in scope"?

Use "small in scope" when you want to accurately describe the restricted nature of a project, study, or investigation. For example, "The pilot program was intentionally "small in scope" to test feasibility before a wider rollout".