the smallest ones

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the smallest ones" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific group of items or entities that are the least in size or quantity compared to others. Example: "In the collection of toys, the smallest ones are often the most cherished by children."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Though most printers can spit out photos, this spotlight is on the smallest ones, designed for photographs.

The New York Times - Tech

Until now, the agency has only had limits on particles of 10 microns and smaller, but no specific limit on the smallest ones.

The New York Times

The largest of them make for photos like Kelly's, while the smallest ones can roll around on the ground like tiny marbles.

The Guardian

"Start with the smallest ones," Wilfred said.

The New York Times - Food

But even the smallest ones have several hundred seats.

The New York Times - Arts

The smallest ones curled up under their beds, hoping to hide from the fire.

The New York Times

The smallest ones showered it with sand and dirt and then sprinkled it with rainwater.

The New Yorker

(And not all firms, especially the smallest ones, are members of the board).

The New York Times

A few of the smallest ones had huge noise-reducing headphones.

The New York Times - Arts

It doesn't make any business sense to be in the smallest ones.

The New York Times

The biggest floods favour base load as compared to the smallest ones.

Journal of Hydrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the smallest ones", ensure there is a clear reference group to which the comparison is being made. For example, "Choose "the smallest ones" from the available options."

Common error

Avoid using "the smallest ones" without specifying what they are the smallest of. Always provide context to prevent ambiguity. For example, instead of "These are "the smallest ones"," say "These are "the smallest ones" in the batch."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the smallest ones" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a subset of items based on their minimal size or quantity. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

32%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the smallest ones" is a grammatically sound and frequently used determiner phrase, according to Ludwig. It serves to pinpoint a specific subset of items characterized by their minimal size or quantity. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, the phrase maintains a neutral formality suitable for diverse contexts. While inherently correct, it's crucial to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity, ensuring the reference group is well-defined. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, "the smallest ones" is a versatile phrase that enhances clarity and specificity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the tiniest ones

Replaces "smallest" with "tiniest", a synonym emphasizing diminutive size.

the most minute ones

Uses "most minute" which emphasizes the extremely small or insignificant nature of the items.

the most diminutive ones

Uses "most diminutive" in place of "smallest", adding a more formal tone and emphasizing smallness.

the minimal ones

Replaces "smallest" with "minimal", highlighting the idea of being at the lower limit or minimum.

the undersized ones

Replaces "smallest" with "undersized", suggesting they are smaller than the standard or expected size.

the most compact ones

Substitutes "smallest" with "most compact", highlighting efficient use of space or minimization of bulk.

the least significant ones

Substitutes "smallest" with "least significant", shifting focus to importance rather than size.

the most petite ones

Uses "most petite" instead of "smallest", often used to describe something delicately small, especially in a refined way.

the slimmest ones

Replaces "smallest" with "slimmest", implying thinness or narrowness as the defining characteristic.

the nethermost ones

Replaces "smallest" with "nethermost", indicating they are the lowest in a series of items.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "the smallest ones"?

You can use alternatives like "the tiniest ones", "the least significant ones", or "the minimal ones" depending on the context.

How do I use "the smallest ones" in a sentence?

Use "the smallest ones" to refer to a subset of items that are least in size or quantity compared to others. For example: "Among the set of data points, "the smallest ones" were excluded from the analysis."

Is it grammatically correct to say "the smallest ones"?

Yes, "the smallest ones" is grammatically correct. It functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a particular group based on size.

What's the difference between "the smallest ones" and "the smallest things"?

"The smallest ones" is used when referring to a specific group of items already mentioned or implied, while "the smallest things" refers to small items in general, without a specific reference group.