small with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small with" is not standard in written English and may lead to confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you are describing something that is small in size and accompanied by something else, but it is not commonly used. Example: "The box was small with a delicate design on the lid."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Start small with your weight-loss goals.

The New Yorker

She started small, with a video.

The New York Times - Books

The menu is small, with tiny print.

The New York Times - Food

Classes are small, with a maximum of 20 students.

The New York Times

Television screens then were small, with relatively poor resolution.

The New Yorker

And it is small, with just 120,000 mortgage customers.

The Guardian - Business

Lenny (Jennifer Dundas) is small, with dark hair.

The New Yorker

We had the studio, really small, with toiles and patterns.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ms. Otranto started small with an investment of about $150.

The New York Times

Virgil was small, with a thin, concave frame.

The Guardian

Sadly, audiences were small, with mostly institute participants attending.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "small with", ensure the context clearly indicates what is small and what it is accompanied by. Consider alternative phrasing for improved clarity, especially in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "small with" when the relationship between the small element and the accompanying element is unclear. Rephrase to explicitly state the connection, such as "small in size with..." or "limited to a small extent with...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small with" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, typically describing a subject's size in conjunction with another attribute or characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples where it modifies nouns by providing additional context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "small with" is commonly used to describe an entity of limited size alongside another attribute or characteristic. Ludwig AI indicates it functions primarily to provide concise descriptions across various contexts, notably in news, wikis, and scientific publications. While generally acceptable, it's important to ensure clarity and consider more precise alternatives in formal writing. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is important to consider that the phrase is not standard in written English and may lead to confusion. For clarity, alternatives such as "small in size with" or more specific phrasing may be preferable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tiny accompanied by

Replaces "small" with "tiny" and "with" with "accompanied by", emphasizing the size and the presence of another element.

limited along with

Substitutes "small" with "limited", focusing on quantity or scope, and "with" with "along with", adding a sense of conjunction.

modest including

Replaces "small" with "modest", indicating humility or moderation, and "with" with "including", specifying containment.

compact featuring

Substitutes "small" with "compact", emphasizing efficiency in space, and "with" with "featuring", highlighting a key characteristic.

bite-sized incorporating

Replaces "small" with "bite-sized", emphasizing easy consumption, and "with" with "incorporating", indicating integration.

minute containing

Replaces "small" with "minute", emphasizing extreme smallness, and "with" with "containing", specifying inclusion.

short combined with

Substitutes "small" with "short", focusing on length, and "with" with "combined with", implying mixture.

miniature associated with

Replaces "small" with "miniature", indicating a scaled-down version, and "with" with "associated with", highlighting a relationship.

petite coupled with

Substitutes "small" with "petite", emphasizing daintiness, and "with" with "coupled with", suggesting a pairing.

brief integrated with

Replaces "small" with "brief", focusing on brevity, and "with" with "integrated with", emphasizing seamless combination.

FAQs

How can I rephrase sentences using "small with" for better clarity?

Consider using phrases like "small in size with", "limited to a small extent with", or specifying the relationship more explicitly, depending on the context.

Is "small with" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "small with" can sometimes sound informal or ambiguous. Opt for more precise phrasing in formal contexts, such as "compact with" or "limited with" depending on your intended meaning.

What are some common synonyms for "small" that can be used with "with"?

Synonyms like "tiny with", "petite with", "compact with", or "modest with" can replace "small" to provide more specific descriptions.

How does the context affect the best way to use "small with"?

The context dictates whether "small with" is the most effective choice. For instance, in physical descriptions, "small in size with" may be suitable, while in abstract contexts, phrases like "limited with" or "modest with" might be more appropriate.