small streets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small streets" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe narrow or less significant roads in a city or town. Example: "The quaint little café is located on one of the small streets in the historic district."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Urban planning

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The small streets, a lot of them are icy," said Abdi, 52.

The Guardian

"It was jam-packed with small shops and small streets crammed into each other.

The Guardian - Books

All this happened in the small streets of the town in the summer.

The Guardian - Books

There is so much history and culture, the small streets, the small shops, the old houses.

The New York Times

The modern, densely populated town of 28,000 is a dizzying maze of small streets that practically guarantee traffic jams.

Independent

There are small streets in Manhattan, and then there is Vanderbilt Avenue, diminutive prince of the street grid.

The New York Times

"They get onto Bond and then find that they cannot turn onto any of the small streets," Mr. Starobin said.

The New York Times

It is also next door to a bike-hire shop and near plenty of small streets selling cheap food.

The Guardian - Travel

It buried small streets in hundreds of communities, cut visibility and speeds on highways and made travel treacherous and miserable.

The New York Times

We are in a tangle of small streets in central Shenzhen, just next to Lao Jie underground station.

The Guardian

The town's shops and restaurants are mostly located along the two-lane Route 212, or on small streets off of it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a location with "small streets", consider also mentioning the overall atmosphere or character of the area to enhance the reader's understanding. For example: "The restaurant is tucked away in the charming small streets of the old town."

Common error

Avoid using "small streets" as a standalone descriptor without providing additional context. Describe what makes these streets unique, such as their historical significance, architectural style, or local businesses. Providing context helps create a more vivid and engaging picture for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small streets" typically functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "small" modifies the noun "streets". Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts. It is used to describe the physical characteristic of streets.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Travel

22%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small streets" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to depict narrow or minor roads, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves a descriptive purpose, helping to paint a picture of locations in various contexts. Its register is generally neutral, though usage can lean towards informal depending on the specific source. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Travel, indicating its relevance in reporting and descriptive writing. When using "small streets", it's beneficial to provide additional context to enhance the reader's understanding and avoid overuse without specific detail. Alternatives include "narrow lanes", "side streets", and "minor roads".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

narrow streets

Focuses on the width of the streets.

side streets

Indicates streets that branch off from main roads.

narrow lanes

Replaces "streets" with "lanes" and "small" with "narrow", emphasizing the reduced width.

little lanes

Replaces "streets" with "lanes" and "small" with "little", conveying a sense of quaintness.

tiny roads

Uses "tiny" instead of "small" to emphasize how small the streets are.

back alleys

Focuses on the location of the streets, typically behind buildings.

minor roads

Substitutes "streets" for "roads" and "small" for "minor", indicating less important routes.

hidden alleys

Emphasizes the secluded and less visible nature of the streets.

cobblestone lanes

Describes the type of streets and replaces "streets" with "lanes".

winding roads

Highlights the curved nature of the roads.

FAQs

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

You can use "small streets" to describe areas with narrow or less significant roads. For example, "The best gelato shop is hidden in one of the /s/narrow+lanes of Rome", or "Traffic is always congested on the /s/side+streets during rush hour".

What is a good alternative to "small streets"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "small streets" include "narrow lanes", "side streets", or "minor roads".

Are "small streets" and "little streets" interchangeable?

Yes, "small streets" and "little streets" are largely interchangeable and can be used to describe the same type of road. However, "little streets" might carry a slightly more informal or quaint connotation.

What characteristics are associated with "small streets"?

"Small streets" are often associated with characteristics such as being narrow, less busy, more residential, historic, or charming. They may also be difficult to navigate due to their size or layout.