smaller than that of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'smaller than that of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare one thing to another, especially when referring to size. For example, "The animal's head was much smaller than that of its companion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

It is much smaller than that of the traditional track.

Construction and Building Materials

Hydrogen bubble size was smaller than that of oxygen.

Electrochimica Acta

This mass proportion of heavy elements in the Sun is smaller than that of the Earth.

Cornell University

But the future cut Canada has volunteered is smaller than that of any other rich nation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Black household wealth is on average 13 times smaller than that of white households.

The Guardian

Uptake of archaeology is even smaller than that of art history at A-level.

The Guardian

Their diameter is more than 50,000 times smaller than that of a human hair.

The Guardian

Fragile state capacity is by definition smaller than that of our donors.

The Guardian

Cambridge's race gap for medical applicants is substantially smaller than that of its rival, Oxford University.

The Guardian

That market cap is still far smaller than that of the typical small-cap fund.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smaller than that of" to make precise comparisons when referring to specific attributes. For clarity, ensure the reference point (that of) is clearly defined in the preceding context.

Common error

Avoid using "smaller than that of" when comparing non-parallel elements. Ensure you're comparing like with like, for instance, comparing the size of one city to that of another, not to its population.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smaller than that of" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It indicates that one item possesses a lesser degree of a particular attribute (typically size or quantity) when compared to another. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smaller than that of" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed comparative phrase used to indicate that one entity is lesser in size, quantity, or extent compared to another. Analysis of Ludwig AI reveals that this phrase is correct and usable in written English, commonly appearing in scientific, news media, and encyclopedia contexts. To ensure clarity, it's important to compare similar elements, such as the size of one object to that of another. Alternatives such as "less than that of" or "not as big as that of" offer similar meanings, though "smaller than that of" has a more precise, neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less than that of

Uses 'less' to indicate a smaller quantity or degree, differing in word choice while retaining the comparative sense.

not as big as that of

Rephrases the comparison using 'not as big as', offering a more informal and direct way to express smaller size.

lower than that of

Indicates a decrease in value or rank, slightly altering the focus from size to a more general comparison.

dwarfed by that of

Emphasizes a significant difference in size, suggesting that something is much smaller in comparison.

inferior to that of

Conveys a sense of lesser quality or importance, shifting the comparison from size to value or merit.

miniscule compared to that of

Highlights the extreme smallness of one thing relative to another, adding emphasis to the size difference.

a fraction of that of

Indicates that one thing is only a small portion of another, focusing on the proportional relationship.

pales in comparison to that of

Suggests that one thing is insignificant compared to another, shifting the focus from size to overall impact.

eclipsed by that of

Indicates that something is overshadowed or diminished by another, changing the context from size to prominence.

overshadowed by that of

Indicates that something is made less impressive because of something else that is more impressive

FAQs

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

Use "smaller than that of" to compare the size, extent, or amount of one thing to another. For example: "The garden's area is "smaller than that of" the park".

What's a more informal way to say "smaller than that of"?

For less formal contexts, you could say "not as big as" or "tinier than". For example, instead of "Her car is "smaller than that of" mine", try "Her car isn't as big as mine".

Is it correct to say "smaller than those of"?

Yes, "smaller than those of" is correct when you're comparing something singular to multiple things. For example: "The errors in this draft are "smaller than that of" previous versions".

What are some alternatives to "smaller than that of" that emphasize a large difference?

To emphasize a considerable difference, consider phrases like "dwarfed by that of" or "miniscule compared to that of".