smallest work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smallest work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the least significant or least extensive piece of work in a particular context. Example: "Among all the projects I completed this year, the smallest work was the one that took the least time and effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"This must be Sol's smallest work".

The New York Times - Arts

"The plant currently has the smallest work force in its history," Mr. Campbell said.

The New York Times

Published in 1953, "Let's Make a B for Bennett" is both the oldest and smallest work in the exhibition.

The New York Times

The miniature landscape and eventual Wynne winner, Biophilia, by Natasha Bieniek is a gem, literally as smallest work in the category, too easily obscured by some commanding paintings by Kate Shaw, Ildiko Kovacs, Angus Nivison and Aaron Kinnane.

The Guardian - Arts

The proposed reductions, which Mr. Bloomberg said had been made necessary by sharp drops in state and federal aid, would leave the city with 289,000 municipal employees, its smallest work force since he took office in 2002.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

That's his small-scale work.

HuffPost

Take Sweden, a country with a truly decent system for childcare and paternity leave – and the world's smallest work-time disparity between men and women.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Bey favors small work surfaces.

The New York Times

Start small, work your way up.

Stanford University

The collector material should have a small work function.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A smaller work force means even slower growth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the scale of different projects, use "smallest work" to clearly indicate the one requiring the least effort or resources.

Common error

Avoid using "smallest work" when referring to the quality or impact of a project. "Least significant" or "least impactful" are more appropriate in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smallest work" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "smallest" modifies the noun "work". It typically identifies a particular piece of effort or creation that is the least in size, scope, or effort compared to others. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Arts

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "smallest work" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for describing a task or project that is the least extensive in terms of size, effort, or resources. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, it can also be found in discussions of arts and science. To ensure clarity, avoid using it when referring to the quality or significance of a project, opting instead for terms like "least significant". When you intend to refer to tasks that do not require so much effort, consider using phrases like "minimal effort task" or "least significant project".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most diminutive piece

Replaces "smallest" with a more formal synonym and "work" with "piece".

least significant project

Focuses on the importance or impact of the work, rather than the physical size or effort involved.

least extensive endeavor

Changes both adjectives and nouns to synonyms, focuses on how much scope of work is involved.

tiniest creation

Emphasizes the diminutive size of the work.

minor endeavor

Indicates the project is small and is not expected to take a long time.

minimal effort task

Highlights the amount of effort required to complete the work.

compact accomplishment

Refers to the achievement in a reduced scale.

slightest undertaking

Indicates the scale and the level of commitment involved.

inconsequential assignment

Highlights a task or project is not of major importance.

most reduced effort

Indicates that the level of effort involved is inferior to other efforts.

FAQs

How can I use "smallest work" in a sentence?

You can use "smallest work" to describe the least extensive or significant project among several, such as, "Among all the sculptures in the gallery, this is the artist's "smallest work"".

What phrases are similar to "smallest work"?

Similar phrases include "least significant project", "tiniest creation", or "minimal effort task", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "smallest work" grammatically correct?

Yes, "smallest work" is grammatically correct. The superlative adjective "smallest" appropriately modifies the noun "work", indicating the lowest degree of size or effort.

When should I use "least significant task" instead of "smallest work"?

Use "least significant task" when the emphasis is on the importance or impact of the work, rather than its physical size or effort. "Smallest work" is better when referring to physical dimensions or the amount of labor involved, and "least significant task" when the emphasis is on importance.