small radius

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small radius" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to geometry, physics, or any situation where size or distance is being described. Example: "The circle has a small radius, making it easier to fit into tight spaces."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Saffers outnumber Aussies now in my small radius west London cricket circles, Ian.

The Guardian - Sport

Beyond a small radius of clarity — perhaps a foot or two — everything grew vague.

The New Yorker

"The people you want to see are in a fairly small radius.

The New York Times

Unless you plan to travel in a small radius around your hotel, you will need a car.

The New York Times - Travel

It has one main office and nine affiliated branches, all within a small radius stretching from Fairfield to Greenwich.

The New York Times

Each customer receives an average of five bids, though the service aims eventually to offer at least 12 bids within a small radius.

The Economist

Also, the transits would be quite noticeable, since a red dwarf's small radius means that more of the star would be covered by the passing planet.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The strongest category five winds were swirling in a relatively small radius of five to 10 miles out from the eye of the storm but can still have a devastating effect.

The Guardian

When Toyota pioneered just-in-time manufacturing in the nineteen-seventies, its suppliers were situated within a small radius of its major plants; now it works on a global level.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Both techniques require fibers that can withstand small-radius turns without snapping.

The New York Times - Science

Three typical shapes of trajectories at small-radius right bends are shown in Fig. 9c e.

European Transport Research Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical specifications, such as in engineering or physics, use "small radius" to clearly indicate a limited distance from a center point. For example, "The device operates within a "small radius" of ten centimeters."

Common error

Avoid using "small radius" when you actually mean a small diameter. The radius is half the diameter, so be precise with your terms to prevent misunderstandings in technical contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small radius" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a modifier to describe a geometric property or a spatial extent. As Ludwig AI points out, it's widely used in scientific and technical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

43%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small radius" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes something with a limited spatial extent. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility. It is widely used in both scientific and general contexts, particularly in describing geometric properties or areas of influence. While alternatives like "short radius" or "limited radius" exist, "small radius" is a clear and direct way to convey the concept of a limited distance from a central point. The usage spans across multiple authoritative sources making it a reliable and versatile phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Short radius

Replaces "small" with "short", emphasizing the brevity of the radius.

Limited radius

Replaces "small" with "limited", highlighting the restricted extent of the radius.

Narrow radius

Replaces "small" with "narrow", focusing on the compactness of the radius.

Tiny radius

Replaces "small" with "tiny", emphasizing the diminutive size of the radius.

Restricted radius

Replaces "small" with "restricted", focusing on its limited scope.

Compact radius

Replaces "small" with "compact", emphasizing its concentrated nature.

Confined radius

Replaces "small" with "confined", suggesting the radius is contained within boundaries.

Miniature radius

Replaces "small" with "miniature", highlighting the reduced scale of the radius.

Reduced radius

Replaces "small" with "reduced", emphasizing that radius has become smaller.

Close proximity

Shifts the focus from the radius itself to the resulting nearness or closeness.

FAQs

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

You can use "small radius" to describe the size of a curve, area, or the reach of something. For instance, "The hurricane had a "small radius" of maximum winds" or "The device operates within a "small radius" of ten centimeters".

What's the difference between "small radius" and "short radius"?

Both "small radius" and "short radius" are very similar and often interchangeable. However, "small radius" generally refers to the actual dimension, while "short radius" might imply a relative comparison or a design choice for a smaller curve or reach.

What are some alternatives to "small radius"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "limited radius", "narrow radius", or even phrases like "confined area" if you're focusing on the space within the radius.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a radius is small" instead of "small radius"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different emphasis. "Small radius" is a noun phrase that directly describes a characteristic, whereas "a radius is small" is a complete sentence that makes an assertion about a particular radius.