small thousands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small thousands" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used informally to refer to a few thousand units of something, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "The project budget was estimated to be in the small thousands, making it manageable for our team."

News & Media

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Classics generally sell in the small thousands.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Entirely in limestone, it is a suave, exhilarating interpretation of a small 18th-century Paris palace.

The New York Times

One small 18th-century table made of zitan resembles a newborn colt, with slightly splayed legs.

The New York Times - Arts

A small 14th-century Gothic cloister has been transferred from the ruined Abbey of Saint-Severand-de-Rustan and rebuilt in the Jardin Massey, a park.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A huge hanging molar would have once indicated a dentist's office, and a small 19th-century carriage here was made for a child.

The New York Times - Arts

These were awkward questions for discussion in a public forum — particularly in a small 19th-century monarchy with a dominant church.

The New York Times

Each play features a donnybrook, and the choreographers send their game actors crashing around the small 78th Street Theater Lab with a gusto that borders on frightening.

The New York Times

They discovered very little except, to add to the mystery, a small 12th-century Jewish cemetery a mile and a half from its base.

The New York Times - Magazine

Inland, it's a different story: narrow streets, a beautiful small 19th-century theater and a two-week festival devoted to the town's most famous son, Gioachino Rossini.

The New York Times

When the men in a small 19th-century Nevada town, including two newcomers (Henry Fonda and Harry Morgan), hear about a rancher's murder, they ride off with hanging on their minds.

The New York Times - Arts

My grandmother's house was in rural Nova Scotia, and until the late fifties, it was run the way a small 19th-century farmhouse would have been run.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "small thousands", ensure your audience understands that you're referring to a few thousand units of something, not a fraction of a single thousand. Consider providing a specific range for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "small thousands" when you need to convey a precise number. The phrase is vague and can lead to miscommunication. Use specific numbers like "2,500" or "3,000" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small thousands" functions as a quantifier, providing an approximate indication of a number between one thousand and four thousand. Ludwig indicates that this term is acceptable though not standard.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small thousands" serves as an informal quantifier to indicate a number roughly between one thousand and four thousand. While Ludwig AI deems it acceptable, it's essential to recognize its inherent vagueness. For precise communication, particularly in professional or academic settings, it is better to opt for specific numbers or alternatives like "a "few thousand"" or "several thousand". The term sees limited use, appearing primarily in news and books. Understanding its limitations ensures clarity and avoids potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few thousand

Uses a more common and direct way to indicate a quantity within the thousands range.

several thousand

Indicates a quantity of more than two thousand without specifying an exact number.

a couple of thousand

Specifies an approximate quantity of two thousand.

a handful of thousands

Emphasizes that the number of thousands is small and easily countable.

limited thousands

Highlights that the thousands in question are restricted or not very numerous.

modest thousands

Implies that the quantity of thousands is not large or impressive.

tiny thousands

Exaggerates the smallness of the quantity in the thousands.

a sprinkle of thousands

Figuratively suggests a very small quantity in the thousands.

a restricted number of thousands

Specifies the thousands are limited, fewer than expected.

low thousands

Suggests a quantity towards the lower end of the thousands range, such as one to four thousand.

FAQs

What does "small thousands" mean?

The phrase "small thousands" is an informal way to refer to a quantity between 1,000 and 4,000, roughly. For clarity, it's often better to specify the range, such as "a "few thousand"" or a similar term.

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

You can use "small thousands" when you want to generally describe a small quantity in the thousands, but keep in mind it's not precise. For example: "The budget was in the "low thousands"."

What can I say instead of "small thousands" to be more precise?

For more precise alternatives to "small thousands", consider using phrases like "around two thousand", "approximately three thousand", or "between one and four thousand" depending on how exact you need to be. Other options include "a "couple of thousand"" or "several thousand".

Is it better to use "small thousands" or a more specific number?

In formal writing or when precision is important, using a specific number is generally better than "small thousands". However, in informal contexts where an approximation is sufficient, "small thousands" can be acceptable. Prefer "a "few thousand"" instead.