smaller of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smaller of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in comparisons to indicate the lesser of two or more items in size, quantity, or degree. Example: "Between the two options, I prefer the smaller of the two houses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was the smaller of the two.

The New York Times

Foodtown, the smaller of the co-ops, lags by comparison.

The New York Times

Last year, I used the smaller of the two handsets.

Independent

Deimos, the outer and smaller of Mars's two moons.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Each play is also presented in the smaller of the Cherry Lane's theaters.

The New York Times

I liked the smaller of the two main dining rooms, adjacent to the polished bar.

The New York Times

The smaller of the two panels voted on pre-1943 plikers like Gordon.

The New York Times

"Oh, hell yes, they're a problem," the smaller of the two guys said.

The New Yorker

In the smaller of the restaurant's two dining rooms, tilted glass panels support a long banquette.

The New York Times

Then Moss, the smaller of the two women, said, crisply, "Those are my paintings".

The Guardian - Arts

I feel in slightly safer hands with the smaller of the two Wallanders [Krister Henriksson].

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing only two items, "smaller of" is clear and concise. If comparing more than two items, consider using "smallest of" for better accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "smaller of" with non-countable nouns (e.g., "the smaller of the water"). Instead, use "less" (e.g., "the less water").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smaller of" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to specify which item is of a lesser size when comparing two or more items. As supported by Ludwig, it clearly conveys a relative size difference.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

19%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "smaller of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used comparative phrase used to identify the item with lesser physical dimensions when comparing two or more entities. Ludwig examples demonstrate its versatile usage across news, encyclopedias, scientific publications and wiki content. Usage is considered neutral. When comparing only two items the use of "smaller of" is more adequate, as explained by Ludwig, and when comparing three or more items, using "smallest of" would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lesser of

Direct synonym, focuses on the degree of being less.

tinier of

Emphasizes the significantly reduced size.

more diminutive of

Highlights a marked reduction in scale.

lower of

Implies a reduced value or quantity.

more petite of

Suggests elegance in its smallness; suitable for describing objects.

slighter of

Underscores a subtle degree of smallness or difference.

more compact of

Highlights efficiency in reduced space.

shorter of

Applicable when comparing lengths or durations.

narrower of

Refers specifically to reduced width.

the more reduced of

Indicates a noticeable decrease or simplification.

FAQs

How to use "smaller of" in a sentence?

Use "smaller of" to compare two items based on size. For example, "This is the "smaller of" the two available options".

What can I say instead of "smaller of"?

You can use alternatives like "lesser of", "tinier of", or "more diminutive of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "smaller of the two" or "smallest of the two"?

"Smaller of the two" is correct when comparing only two items. If you're comparing more than two, use "smallest of all".

What's the difference between "smaller of" and "less of"?

"Smaller of" is used for countable nouns referring to physical size, while "less of" is used for non-countable nouns or abstract concepts like quantity or importance.