smaller than even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smaller than even" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is smaller than what is typically expected or compared to other small things. Example: "The new smartphone model is smaller than even the previous compact version."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

They're reminders of the larger-than-life screen worlds that existed before the pictures became smaller than even Norma Desmond could have imagined.

The New York Times

Nor that, according to the Royal Institute of British Architects' report Better Homes and Neighbourhoods, Londoners are living in the smallest rooms in Europe, and our new-builds are smaller than even space-short Holland and Japan.

The Guardian - Opinion

At less than 1,200 cubic metres a second, this flood is smaller than even an average spring flood, let alone one of the mightier deluges of the past.

The Economist

Those charming Victorian buildings on main street are generally much smaller than even a small chain store; candles and kites are about all that will fit in some places.

The Economist

He added: "Taking figures for potential losses into account means the net increase in woodland cover is much smaller than even the shrinking planting rates suggest and in some parts of the UK there may even be a net decrease – this effectively means deforestation".

Independent

Much smaller than even the Piranha's on-ear cups, though certainly the PS5500MMs don't press so much.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The Tories get to govern again, though with a smaller majority than even John Major managed, and education was barely discussed in this recent campaign.

The Guardian

Swarm's original plan was to put several very small satellites — smaller even than 1U Cubesats — in orbit to test its experimental communications system.

TechCrunch

In Scotland, slightly smaller than Quebec, even fewer voters may hold the final key.

The Guardian

South Korea's spy service said it thought the estimated explosive yield from the blast was much smaller than what even a failed hydrogen bomb detonation would produce.

The Guardian

The values of the truncated terms were all smaller than 10−14, even for a thirty-gene system.

Computational Biology and Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smaller than even" to emphasize a surprising degree of smallness, especially when comparing to something already known to be small. This adds impact and clarity to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "smaller than even" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise or technical term might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "significantly smaller" or "substantially reduced" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smaller than even" functions as a comparative modifier, emphasizing that something is smaller to a degree that is unexpected, even when compared to something already considered small. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

33%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "smaller than even" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase to highlight unexpected smallness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, primarily in news, media, and scientific writing. While the phrase effectively emphasizes a surprising degree of smallness, be mindful of overuse in overly formal academic contexts where a more precise or technical alternative may be preferable. Use it to add impact and clarity, but avoid it when professional tone is necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unusually miniature

Highlights the deviation from the standard size, emphasizing the smallness.

tinier than anticipated

Replaces the direct comparison with an element of surprise or unexpected smallness.

surprisingly petite

Focuses on the unexpected smallness, often used for delicate or charming objects.

more diminutive than imagined

Emphasizes the extremely small size, adding a sense of wonder or disbelief.

remarkably compact

Stresses the efficient use of space, implying a functional smallness.

noticeably underscale

Highlights that the item is visibly smaller in comparison to the typical or expected size.

palpably undersized

Highlights the tangible and noticeable smallness of the subject.

exceedingly slight

Emphasizes the minimal size, suggesting fragility or delicacy.

astonishingly wee

Uses an informal term for small, highlighting the surprise at the size.

considerably reduced

Focuses on the act of becoming smaller, implying a deliberate reduction in size.

FAQs

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

You can use "smaller than even" to emphasize how something is surprisingly small, especially when compared to something already considered small. For example, "This phone is "smaller than even" the previous model."

What can I say instead of "smaller than even"?

Alternatives to "smaller than even" include "tinier than anticipated", "surprisingly petite", or "noticeably underscale" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "smaller than even" grammatically correct?

Yes, "smaller than even" is grammatically correct. It's a common construction used to emphasize the degree of smallness in comparison to something else.

What's the difference between "smaller than" and "smaller than even"?

"Smaller than" simply indicates a size comparison. "Smaller than even" adds emphasis, suggesting the degree of smallness is surprising or unexpected; as in, something is unexpectedly or surprisingly small.