smaller crowd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smaller crowd" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a group of people that is smaller than average, or when compared to another group, for example: After the pandemic began, attendance at sporting events decreased significantly, with a much smaller crowd than usual.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it is spread among a much smaller crowd.

The New York Times

A smaller crowd confronted police, with one shouting at riot police: "We are not violent.

Independent

"I'd guess a little smaller crowd, obviously, Phil not being here, weather, and a morning time.

The New York Times - Sports

But a much smaller crowd turned up, estimated at just over 100,000.

The New York Times

People trickled over in the evening — a smaller crowd, which left sooner.

The New Yorker

That means a smaller crowd and, at least, potentially less energy.

The New York Times

A smaller crowd of older Polish women now stands behind them.

The New York Times

During the rest of the day there's a steady, smaller crowd.

The New York Times - Food

Expect a smaller crowd for the Iran-Angola match on June 21.

The New York Times - Travel

Separated by riot policemen, a smaller crowd chanted its support of Mr. Estrada.

The New York Times

A much smaller crowd made their way into a church at the entrance to the garden.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smaller crowd" to describe a situation where the number of people present is less than expected or usual. This creates a clear point of reference for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "smaller crowd" when referring to extremely small groups, as this might imply a relatively minor difference when the group is significantly undersized. In such cases, consider using phrases like "a handful of people" or "very few attendees" for greater accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smaller crowd" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "smaller" modifies the noun "crowd". As Ludwig AI points out, it is used to describe a gathering with fewer people than expected or compared to another event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Academia

9%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smaller crowd" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a gathering with fewer people, frequently used in News & Media as shown by Ludwig. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for general use. When writing, remember that this phrase primarily describes size and does not necessarily imply anything about the atmosphere or the experience of those present. For situations where attendance is minimal, alternatives such as "very few attendees" might be more accurate. Remember to maintain clarity when using "smaller crowd" to compare audience sizes across different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thinner audience

Replaces "crowd" with "audience" and uses "thinner" to convey the reduced size.

reduced gathering

Substitutes "crowd" with "gathering" and "smaller" with "reduced" focusing on the overall event.

fewer attendees

Uses more formal terms, focusing on the number of people present.

diminished turnout

Highlights the difference between expected and actual attendance.

scarcer gathering

Emphasizes the limited availability of people present.

lower attendance

Focuses on the overall attendance figures being reduced.

less populated group

Highlights that the quantity of individuals is reduced.

downsized assembly

Indicates that an event/assembly has been made smaller.

modest number of people

Replaces the noun "crowd" with more direct terminology.

limited participation

Focuses on the limited number of individuals participating.

FAQs

How can I use "smaller crowd" in a sentence?

You can use "smaller crowd" to compare the number of attendees at two events, for example: "The concert drew a "smaller crowd" than anticipated due to the rainy weather.".

What can I say instead of "smaller crowd"?

You can use alternatives like "thinner audience", "reduced gathering", or "fewer attendees" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "smaller crowd" or "less crowd"?

"Smaller crowd" is the correct and more common phrase. "Less crowd" is grammatically incorrect because "crowd" is a countable noun, and "fewer" should be used instead of "less".

What's the difference between "smaller crowd" and "intimate gathering"?

"Smaller crowd" simply indicates a reduced number of people, while "intimate gathering" implies a sense of closeness and connection among attendees, regardless of the exact number. Therefore, the setting's atmosphere matters.