smaller suspicious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smaller suspicious" is not correct in written English.
It seems to be a combination of two adjectives that do not work together in this form. Example: "The smaller suspicious package was reported to the authorities."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Our increasing ability to image and detect smaller abnormal masses and lesions using clinical modalities such as MRI, x-ray CT, PET/SPECT, and ultrasound imaging mandates that we also advance the technology to physically biopsy these smaller suspicious tissues.

Biomedical Optics Express

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He chose Geneva, which was then a small, suspicious Calvinist Protestant city-state.

The New Yorker

A small, suspicious community living on the edge of the world.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

With his narrow-set eyes and small, suspicious mouth, Hill plays a man who is intelligent but self-conscious and easily frazzled.

The New Yorker

Dr. David Corbett, a dermatologist, said he found a small "suspicious" lesion now being tested to determine if it is basal cell skin cancer, a fairly common cancer considered the least malignant form.

The New York Times

A 100-foot area in the South Terminal of Atlanta's international airport was evacuated for 2 hours and 15 minutes after a small suspicious package was found in a restroom, an airport spokeswoman said.

The New York Times

I've seen the ecosystem grow from a small, suspicious group of former cubicle warriors into a vibrant and exciting scene with multiple accelerators and funds vying for startups.

TechCrunch

"Police are in attendance at the Ecuadorian Embassy in SW1 following reports of a small suspicious package.

Vice

It is also excellent in helping identify small suspicious lesions of 10 mm or less.

Breast Cancer Research

Astute clinical and/or radiologic surveillance results in the detection of small suspicious lymph nodes.

Annals of Surgical Oncology

Difficulties in performing FNBs on such small suspicious lymph nodes contribute to some of the false-negative diagnoses (particulary small, mobile axillary nodes).

Annals of Surgical Oncology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something that raises doubt but isn't necessarily large, consider using "slightly suspicious" or "somewhat dubious" instead of the less common "smaller suspicious".

Common error

Avoid placing "smaller" directly before "suspicious" as it can sound unnatural. "Smaller" typically modifies a noun, while "suspicious" describes the nature of the noun. Instead, rephrase to clarify the relationship, such as "slightly suspicious" or "more suspicious".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smaller suspicious" acts as a descriptive phrase, intending to modify a noun. However, as Ludwig AI suggests, the combination is not ideal and lacks grammatical precision, making the phrase's function somewhat unclear.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "smaller suspicious" is grammatically questionable and infrequent in common usage. Ludwig AI suggests that this combination of adjectives sounds unnatural and that there are better ways to express the same idea. While the phrase does appear in both scientific and news-related contexts, it is recommended to use alternatives like "slightly suspicious" or "somewhat dubious" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness. The phrase’s primary function is descriptive, aiming to qualify a noun by indicating both its relatively small size and suspicious nature, but its awkwardness reduces its effectiveness. It is best to avoid using this phrase in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modestly suspicious

This phrase replaces small with modestly and uses suspicious directly, keeping the core meaning.

more suspicious

This alternative focuses on a greater degree of suspicion, omitting the size aspect.

slightly suspect

This phrase uses a synonym for "suspicious" and adds "slightly" to downplay the concern.

less trustworthy

This alternative replaces "suspicious" with a more general term for lack of trust.

somewhat dubious

This alternative employs "dubious" as a synonym and "somewhat" to soften the assertion.

marginally suspect

This phrase uses "marginally" to indicate a slight degree of suspicion.

questionable small

This option inverts the order and uses questionable, focusing more on the ambiguity of the subject.

slightly alarming

This alternative replaces suspicious with alarming and adds slightly to soften the concern.

minor concern

This phrase downplays both the size and suspicion, suggesting a slight worry.

not entirely reliable

This alternative steers clear of "suspicious", opting for a description of unreliability instead.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "smaller suspicious"?

Instead of "smaller suspicious", consider using "slightly suspicious" or "somewhat dubious". The choice depends on the specific context and what you want to emphasize.

Is it grammatically correct to say "smaller suspicious"?

While not strictly incorrect, "smaller suspicious" can sound awkward. Adjectives typically modify nouns, so placing "smaller" directly before "suspicious" can be confusing. Rephrasing for clarity is recommended.

How does the meaning change when I replace "smaller suspicious" with "more suspicious"?

Replacing "smaller suspicious" with "more suspicious" shifts the focus from size to the degree of suspicion. It suggests a stronger reason to be wary, without necessarily implying a smaller size.

Can "smaller suspicious" be used in formal writing?

Due to its awkwardness, "smaller suspicious" is best avoided in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "slightly suspicious" or "somewhat dubious" to maintain a professional tone.