smaller in quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smaller in quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing amounts or sizes of items, indicating that one is less than another in terms of quantity. Example: "The new shipment of products is smaller in quantity than we anticipated, which may affect our sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

less means smaller in quantity, eg less money; fewer means smaller in number, eg fewer coins.

The Guardian

fewer means smaller in number, eg fewer coins; less means smaller in quantity, eg less money Ffestiniog fiance male, fiancee female; but note divorcee is both male and female Fianna Fáil Irish political party fiasco like debacle and farce, overused in news stories: who says it's a fiasco?

The Guardian

Movement of high-value, high-status items — silks and other textiles, ceramics, spices, fruit, precious metals and jewels — was smaller in quantity but caught the eye of commentators as well as consumers.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A vitamin is an organic compound needed in small quantities that cannot be made in cells.

Wikipedia

These concepts are small in quantity and great in generality and tightly related to the category labels.

Pattern Recognition Letters

So it was with regret for the report to note that radioactive wastes were "too small in quantity today to irradiate anything but a small area".

Energy, Sustainability and Society

The hazardous pollutants though small in quantity but contain highly toxic materials like lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and many more.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

(Well) Their lives were distressingly small in quantity, but glowingly large in quality.

Huffington Post

Your giving, even if small in quantity, can make a big difference to both the people you help today, and the person you will be tomorrow.

Huffington Post

Other pollutants — thermal effluent, heavy metals, and radioactivity, have been likewise relatively small in quantity (some local exceptions) and biological impact [73], [76].

Plosone

Generally speaking, the most biologically appropriate materials obtained from clinical samples are small in quantity.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the amounts of non-countable nouns, use "smaller in quantity". For countable nouns, use "fewer in number".

Common error

Avoid using "less" when "fewer" is appropriate. "Less" refers to bulk or quantity, while "fewer" refers to countable items. For example, it's incorrect to say "less coins"; the correct phrase is "fewer coins".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smaller in quantity" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the extent or amount of something, indicating that it is present in a reduced amount. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it directly relates to the amount or size of items being discussed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smaller in quantity" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, employed to describe a reduced amount of something, particularly in neutral to formal contexts. As Ludwig AI explains, it's best used when comparing non-countable nouns, while "fewer in number" suits countable items. While the usage of "smaller in quantity" is relatively rare, it is found across reputable news sources, scientific publications and wikis, demonstrating its versatility. Remember to distinguish its usage from "fewer", and explore related alternatives like "reduced in amount" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced in amount

Emphasizes the act of lessening the total quantity.

less in volume

Specifically refers to a decrease in the space occupied.

lower in number

Highlights a decrease in the count of items.

diminished in size

Focuses on the physical reduction in dimensions.

decreased in magnitude

Implies a reduction in overall impact or importance.

limited in scope

Suggests a restriction in the range or extent.

scarce in supply

Indicates that there is not much available.

in short supply

Highlights the inadequacy of the available amount.

on the decline

Implies a gradual reduction over time.

of a lesser amount

A more formal way to describe something that is smaller in quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "smaller in quantity" to describe a reduced amount of something, as in, "The shipment was "smaller in quantity" than expected".

What's the difference between "smaller in quantity" and "fewer in number"?

"Smaller in quantity" refers to non-countable items, while "fewer in number" refers to countable items. Use ""smaller in quantity"" for things you can't count individually, like water, and "fewer in number" for things you can count, like coins.

What are some alternatives to saying "smaller in quantity"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "reduced in amount", "less in volume", or "lower in number".

Is it correct to say "less in quantity" instead of "smaller in quantity"?

While "less" is often used to describe quantity, ""smaller in quantity"" is generally clearer and more precise, especially when comparing amounts. "Less" is better used for uncountable nouns like 'less water'.