small sideways

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small sideways" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slight movement or position that is oriented to the side. Example: "The cat took a small sideways step to avoid the puddle on the floor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

She gives a small sideways smile.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Your knees should be pointing forward at a small sideways angle.

WikiHow

You can actually apply enough force so that your dog takes small sideways steps to each side.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

(Two big bricks, two lighter, smaller sideways bricks, repeat).

The New Yorker

Dump tackles; get your arms wrapped around their THIGHS and lift both of their legs up in the air a small bit sideways and then drive down.

WikiHow

"A big illness can knock [a small firm] sideways," says Mr Riedel.Some firms stop offering health insurance.

The Economist

A phrase of small but exciting sideways jumps is delivered while the arms trace a single growing arc.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's only a small lateral step sideways from Bozo to Jack Ass," he explained the other day.

The New Yorker

The scientists also detected low-frequency radio signals that appear to emanate from some meteors, and small jets shooting sideways out of the streaking meteors.

The New York Times - Science

Our tester was the top-of-the-line RTL model with leather seats and a navigation system, but you might be just as happy with the base RT edition, which does without the fancier baubles, but still has AWD, three 12-volt sockets in the cabin, electric sliding rear glass (a small window glides sideways to aid cabin venting) and even a height adjustment for the driver's seat.

Forbes

"But he will also do so if you take a progressif approach," and he achieved the same effect with his little finger, nudging the horse sideways: "Continual small prompts rather than the 'big kick'".

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical actions, use "small sideways" to clearly indicate a minor lateral movement or adjustment, enhancing the reader's understanding of spatial dynamics.

Common error

Avoid replacing "small sideways" with overly technical or verbose alternatives when a simple, clear description is more effective. Simplicity often improves clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small sideways" primarily functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the manner or direction of a movement or position. It is used to specify that something is moving or oriented slightly to the side. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "small sideways" serves as an adjectival modifier that describes a movement or orientation that is slightly to the side. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is usable in written English. While the phrase is grammatically correct and understandable, its frequency is uncommon. The term sees usage across diverse sources, including news media, wikis, and scientific texts. The phrase is suitable for neutral registers aiming to describe motion in detail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight lateral movement

Focuses on the type of movement, emphasizing the lateral aspect with the adjective 'slight'.

minor lateral shift

Highlights the shift in position, using 'minor' to denote the degree of displacement.

gentle sideways motion

Emphasizes the gentleness of the movement, adding a softer quality to the action.

subtle lateral adjustment

Focuses on the fineness of the adjustment, implying a careful and precise action.

small sideward step

Specifies the action as a 'step', clarifying the type of movement.

slight deviation to the side

Describes the action as a 'deviation', indicating a departure from a straight path.

minor sideways adjustment

Uses 'adjustment' to denote a correction or alteration in position.

gentle lateral nudge

Emphasizes a light push or influence in a sideways direction.

small side-to-side movement

Clearly specifies the direction of the movement as 'side-to-side'.

slight sideways inclination

Highlights a tilting or leaning action to the side.

FAQs

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

You can use "small sideways" to describe a slight lateral movement, such as "The cat took a "small sideways" step to avoid the puddle" or "He made a "small sideways" adjustment to his posture".

What are some alternatives to "small sideways"?

Alternatives include "slight lateral movement", "minor lateral shift", or "gentle sideways motion", depending on the specific context you're describing.

Is it more appropriate to say "small sideways movement" or "slight sideways movement"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "small sideways movement" emphasizes the limited size of the movement, while "slight sideways movement" focuses on the minimal degree or intensity of the movement. The choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.

In what contexts is "small sideways" most commonly used?

"Small sideways" is often used in descriptions of physical movements or adjustments, particularly in fields like sports, dance, or physical therapy, where precise descriptions of motion are important.