small less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small less than" is not correct and usable in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete or incorrect expression that does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "The value should be small less than the threshold."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most of the tumors were small, less than two centimetres.

The New Yorker

Vineyard profits are notoriously small, less than 5percentt when you're doing well.

The New York Times

This one is very small, less than three inches by four.

The New Yorker

Charlie's gash was small, less than half an inch long, but deep.

The New York Times - Health

The EMI is small: less than 250 staff at present, mostly seconded from national central banks.

The Economist

The lowest concentration of impurity B is extremely small, less than 0.0001.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The total number of women who experienced these serious problems was very small, less than 1percentt of the women.

The New York Times

The absolute risk is still small, less than 1percentt, and the holes often close on their own.

The New York Times

The risk of leaving you permanently paralyzed is not zero, but it is very small, less than 1percentt.

The New York Times - Magazine

But for many of those who get a tax cut, it's very small, less than a hundred dollars".

The New Yorker

Although these areas are small, less than a tenth of the ocean surface, the finding is alarming.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "small less than" in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "smaller than" or "less than".

Common error

A common mistake is using "small less than" when intending to express a comparative relationship. To avoid this, use "smaller than" to compare sizes or amounts, or "less than" when referring to a numerical value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small less than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, though it's grammatically incorrect. It attempts to describe something as being smaller than a certain threshold or amount. However, Ludwig AI points out that this construction is not correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

56%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "small less than" appears in numerous sources, it is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It attempts to convey that something is below a specific size or quantity, but should be replaced with grammatically sound alternatives such as "smaller than" or "less than". Its appearance across various contexts suggests a neutral register, but due to its grammatical issues, it's best reserved for informal settings and avoided in formal or professional writing. Therefore, it's crucial to favor correct phrasing to ensure clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Smaller than

Replaces "small less than" with a direct comparative, indicating a smaller size or quantity.

Less than a small amount

Emphasizes the quantity is below a defined small threshold.

Not exceeding

Indicates an upper limit that is not to be surpassed. It's a more formal way of expressing a maximum value or size.

Less than or equal to a small value

This alternative specifies that the value can be equal to, or below, the defined small value.

No more than a little

Highlights that a quantity is minimal.

Limited to a small quantity

Suggests that the quantity is subject to a restriction, often in more specific contexts.

Of reduced size

Focuses on the diminished size of something compared to something else.

Below a small threshold

Used to show a limit or boundary, with the subject being less than the limit.

Significantly reduced

Implies a considerable decrease in size or amount.

A fraction of

Highlights something that represents only a fraction of its previous or expected size or quantity.

FAQs

What is a grammatically correct alternative to "small less than"?

The grammatically correct way to express that something is of a reduced size or quantity is to use the phrase "smaller than" or "less than".

Is it acceptable to use "small less than" in formal writing?

No, it is not recommended to use "small less than" in formal writing. Opt for phrases like "smaller than" or "less than" for clarity and grammatical accuracy.

How does "smaller than" differ from "less than"?

"Smaller than" is generally used when comparing physical dimensions or sizes, while "less than" is used when referring to numerical values or quantities. Both are preferable to "small less than".

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "small less than"?

While not grammatically correct, the phrase "small less than" may occasionally appear in informal contexts or in speech. However, it should be avoided in formal or professional writing in favor of phrases such as "smaller than" or "less than".