a few millimeters

USAGE SUMMARY

'a few millimeters' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is very small. For example: "The butterfly's wings were only a few millimeters wide."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only a few millimeters of rain fall a year.

The New York Times

These were the spherical ones -- musket-type balls sheathed with a few millimeters of cushioning.

The New York Times - Magazine

"But with a few millimeters, you don't see the white limestone on the television".

The New York Times - Sports

Then the jaw slides forward just a few millimeters, and the sharp teeth saw the food.

The New York Times - Science

It's a flavorless white powder that, mixed with water, penetrates a few millimeters beneath the surface of a cut apple.

The New York Times

On the last point, Blake challenged an ace by Haas, which was good by only a few millimeters more.

The New York Times - Sports

He tries different possibilities, sometimes ones differing by only a few millimeters, until he finds the exact point.

The New Yorker

Only small deformations of a few millimeters have been recorded.

Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology

A difference of a few millimeters was noted.

Earth, Planets and Space

Observed horizontal deformation was very small (within a few millimeters).

Earth, Planets and Space

The ASIC realizes a chip-size plasma wave receiver with the size of a few millimeters × a few millimeters.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing precise measurements or technical specifications, use "a few millimeters" to provide a clear and easily understood scale of dimension.

Common error

Avoid using "a few millimeters" when the context requires a more precise measurement. If accuracy is crucial, use specific numerical values instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few millimeters" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, typically describing the size, distance, or thickness of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

45%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few millimeters" is a common and correct way to describe a small measurement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it serves to provide a relatable and precise scale of dimension. While versatile, ensure accuracy is maintained by using specific numerical values when precision is crucial. Alternatives like "several millimeters" or "a couple of millimeters" can be used depending on the context. Remember to spell out "a few millimeters" in formal writing rather than using the abbreviation "a few mm".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several millimeters

Indicates a slightly larger, but still small, quantity compared to "a few millimeters".

a couple of millimeters

Emphasizes a quantity of approximately two millimeters, providing a more specific estimation.

a fraction of an inch

Uses a different unit of measurement to convey a similar small dimension, useful for audiences more familiar with inches.

a tiny amount

Focuses on the minuscule quantity, rather than the specific measurement, applicable in more abstract contexts.

a negligible distance

Highlights the insignificance of the distance, suitable when the exact measurement is less important than its impact.

a hair's breadth

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate an extremely small distance, emphasizing precision and closeness.

a shade

Informal term referring to a slight degree or amount, applicable when exact precision is not required.

a whisper

Suggests an extremely small, almost imperceptible, amount or distance.

a trace amount

Indicates a very small quantity, often used in scientific or technical contexts to describe minimal quantities of a substance.

a microscopic quantity

Highlights the minute size, emphasizing that it can only be observed with magnification.

FAQs

How do you use "a few millimeters" in a sentence?

You can use "a few millimeters" to describe a small distance or measurement, like "The gap was only "a few millimeters" wide" or "The doctor needed to cut only "a few millimeters" below the skin".

What's something else I can say instead of "a few millimeters"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "several millimeters", "a couple of millimeters", or "a fraction of an inch" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "a few mm" instead of "a few millimeters"?

Yes, "a few mm" is a common abbreviation for "a few millimeters", especially in technical writing or when space is limited. However, spell out "a few millimeters" in more formal writing.

What is the difference between "a few millimeters" and "a few centimeters"?

A few millimeters represents a smaller distance than "a few centimeters". A centimeter is equal to 10 millimeters, so "a few centimeters" indicates a substantially larger measurement.