smaller than that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smaller than that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing the size of one object or quantity to another, indicating that it is less in size or amount. Example: "The new model is smaller than that of the previous version, making it easier to handle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And "Stroked" feels even smaller than that.

The New York Times - Arts

"No, I felt much smaller than that.

The New Yorker

The margin was smaller than that.

The Guardian - Sport

Saturday's Occupy protests were probably smaller than that.

The New York Times

Many rooms in older hospitals are smaller than that and accommodate two patients.

The New York Times

Two thirds of the county's 276 primaries are smaller than that.

The Guardian

It's [actually] much smaller than that.

Vice

It was far smaller than that.

Huffington Post

You can even go smaller than that.

Huffington Post

Any smaller than that and it could snap.

WikiHow

Its audience remains much smaller than that of Timchenko's Lenta.ru.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "smaller than that", ensure the reference point is clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "the sample size was smaller than that", specify "the sample size was smaller than that of the previous study."

Common error

Avoid using "smaller than that" without a clear antecedent. Ensure the 'that' refers to something explicitly mentioned in the preceding context. Otherwise, rewrite the sentence to be more specific.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smaller than that" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that something has a lesser size or dimension compared to a previously mentioned reference. This use is supported by Ludwig examples, illustrating its role in comparing sizes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smaller than that" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is less in size or dimension compared to a previously referenced item. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, scientific writing, and general communication. While versatile, clarity is crucial; always ensure the 'that' has a clear antecedent to avoid ambiguity. Considering its frequent appearance in diverse source types, this phrase holds a neutral tone appropriate for many scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less than that

Focuses on the quantity or degree being lower, rather than specifically the size.

not as big as that

Emphasizes the lack of size relative to the reference point.

not so large as that

A more formal way of saying something isn't as large.

of a lesser magnitude

Emphasizes a smaller scale or impact.

a fraction of that size

Indicates a significantly smaller size, implying a proportional relationship.

dwarfed by that

Highlights a size difference where something is significantly smaller.

considerably reduced compared to that

Focuses on the reduction in size from a previous state.

miniscule in comparison

Highlights a huge difference in comparison where something is extremely small.

a shadow of its former self

Focuses on being smaller than before and not being as good.

insignificant alongside it

Emphasizes a lack of importance due to the small size.

FAQs

How do I use "smaller than that" in a sentence?

Use "smaller than that" to compare the size of one thing to another previously mentioned. For example, "The new phone is smaller than that "previous model", making it easier to carry."

What is a synonym for "smaller than that"?

Alternatives to "smaller than that" include "less than that", "not as big as that", or "not so large as that", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "smaller than that"?

Yes, "smaller than that" is grammatically correct and commonly used to make comparisons.

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

"Smaller than that" typically refers to physical size or dimensions, while "less than that" refers to quantity, amount, or degree. For instance, "the box is smaller than that "other one"" (size) versus "the cost was less than that "original estimate"" (amount).