smaller than a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smaller than a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when making comparisons to indicate that one object or entity is less in size than another. Example: "This new smartphone is smaller than a standard tablet, making it more portable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

It's slightly smaller than a pigeon.

The New Yorker

Usually actors snag something considerably smaller than a fiberglass tire.

The New York Times

Or you could start smaller than a whole letter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All were smaller than a grain of rice.

The New York Times - Magazine

The apartment was smaller than a freshman-dorm room.

The New Yorker

It's smaller than a Fiat 500, but not by much.

The New York Times - Food

It's also tiny: smaller than a football pitch.

Independent

The YoGen is smaller than a pack of cards.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

On an annual basis, the Spanish economy remains 1.1% smaller than a year ago.

The Guardian - Business

On a year-on-year basis, Portugal's economy is 1.0% smaller than a year ago.

The Guardian - Business

On an annual basis, though, the Netherlands economy remains 0.6% smaller than a year ago.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "smaller than a", ensure the comparison is clear and the referenced object is familiar to your audience for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid comparing objects with unrelated units. For example, it's confusing to say "the meeting room is smaller than a football field" if you're discussing occupancy, not area.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smaller than a" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that it possesses a lesser size relative to a specified reference point. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "smaller than a" is a common and grammatically sound way to make size comparisons. As indicated by Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, from news articles to scientific publications. To ensure clarity, always compare objects using consistent units, and for formal writing, consider more precise alternatives if needed. This phrase serves to help audience visualize or understand the scale of an item relative to the known size of another.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as large as a

Changes the wording to focus on 'large' rather than 'small', still indicating a size comparison.

tinier than a

Uses a more informal and diminutive term, suitable for emphasis.

not the size of a

Directly negates the size equivalence, suitable for precise comparisons.

under the size of a

Implies being below a certain size threshold.

of a smaller scale than a

Highlights the magnitude or scope being less than another.

inferior in size to a

Introduces a formal tone, indicating size difference and potentially a value judgment.

lesser than a

This alternative focuses on the degree or amount being lower than another.

less extensive than a

Emphasizes scope or reach rather than physical size, suitable for abstract comparisons.

shorter than a

Specifies height or length comparison.

narrower than a

Specifies width comparison.

FAQs

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

Use "smaller than a" to compare the size of two objects or concepts, for example: "This phone is "smaller than a tablet"" or "The risk is "smaller than anticipated"".

What are some alternatives to "smaller than a"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "not as large as a", "less extensive than a", or "under the size of a".

Is it always appropriate to use "smaller than a" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider more precise or formal alternatives like "of a smaller scale than" or "inferior in size to" for academic or professional contexts if greater specificity is needed.

What's the difference between "smaller than a" and "less than a"?

"Smaller than a" typically refers to physical dimensions or size, while "less than a" can refer to quantity, amount, or degree. For example, "The room is smaller than a closet" (size), but "The cost is less than a dollar" (amount).