smaller gap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smaller gap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing two gaps, indicating that one is less wide or less significant than the other. Example: "The new design features a smaller gap between the components, improving overall efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Smaller (bar{phi }) implies smaller gap opening force than that experienced by the link assembly.

International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering

The BMPH real wage shows a much smaller gap.

The Economist

Wealth and incomes are distributed more evenly, with a smaller gap between rich and poor.

The Guardian - Opinion

Other recent polling appeared to support Singh and Kanagasooriam's thesis, although with a smaller gap.

The Guardian

In State House races, the difference was an even smaller gap of 1.7 percentage points.

The New York Times

Other polls showed a smaller gap, but Mr. Fenty knows he is scrambling for survival.

The New York Times

This was due to the smaller gap between the pillars, resulting in a higher hydraulic resistance.

Journal of Membrane Science

They hypothesized that concrete goals create a smaller gap between the expected and actual impact of one's actions.

Stanford University

The reduction was driven by higher exports of autos and airplanes and a smaller gap with China and Europe.

The Guardian - Business

When presented with the assist system drivers were less likely to accept a smaller gap, especially under low-visibility conditions.

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

For smaller gap widths on the order of 10 μm, which is typical for cracks, the effect is marginal.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "smaller gap", ensure the comparison is clear. Specify what two things are being compared and why the reduced gap is significant. For instance: "The new policy resulted in a "smaller gap" between the rich and poor."

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "smaller gap" is always desirable. Sometimes, a certain gap is necessary or beneficial. For example, a "smaller gap" in a business context may indicate inadequate product differentiation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smaller gap" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "smaller" modifies the noun "gap". It describes a reduced difference or space between two entities. Ludwig AI's examples illustrate its use across various domains, confirming its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smaller gap" is a versatile and commonly used term to describe a reduced difference or interval. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and applicable across diverse contexts, ranging from scientific research to news reporting. While often implying a positive change, it's important to consider the specific context to avoid overgeneralizing its significance. Alternatives such as "narrower margin" or "reduced interval" may offer more precision depending on the intended meaning. Ultimately, "smaller gap" serves as a clear and concise way to express diminished separation or disparity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

narrower margin

Emphasizes a reduced difference in a competitive or quantitative context.

reduced interval

Highlights a shorter duration or distance between two points in time or space.

decreased difference

Focuses on the diminishing disparity between two values or quantities.

lessened disparity

Implies a reduction in inequality or dissimilarity between two things.

diminished separation

Suggests a closing of the distance or space between two entities.

tighter tolerance

Highlights a decreased acceptable range of variation, often in technical contexts.

compressed range

Indicates a reduction in the extent or scope of a set of values or possibilities.

shorter span

Emphasizes a reduced duration or extent of something.

minimal clearance

Highlights a very small space or allowance between two objects.

contracted width

Indicates a reduction in the breadth or extent of a physical space.

FAQs

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

Use "smaller gap" to compare the distance or difference between two things. For example, "There's a "smaller gap" in school performance among different ethnic groups." or "The design features a "smaller gap" between the components."

What are some alternatives to "smaller gap"?

You can use alternatives like "narrower margin", "reduced interval", or "decreased difference" depending on the specific context.

Is it always better to have a "smaller gap"?

Not necessarily. Whether a "smaller gap" is desirable depends on the specific context. In some cases, a certain gap may be necessary or even beneficial. Consider the implications before assuming a "smaller gap" is always positive.

What is the difference between "smaller gap" and "narrower gap"?

"Smaller gap" is a general term that can refer to any kind of reduced difference or space. "Narrower gap" often refers to a physical space or distance that is less wide. The terms are often interchangeable but "narrower gap" is typically more specific.