a given surface

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a given surface" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to a specific surface that has been previously mentioned or is understood in the discussion. Example: "To analyze the stress distribution, we will consider the forces acting on a given surface."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For a given surface area, it's stronger than virtually any other shape.

The New York Times - Science

That means having a lot of edge for a given surface area.

The Economist

Older houses like mine will settle, and even tiny settling will result in mismatched dimensions on a given surface.

The New York Times

But the striking discovery the diagram revealed was that for stars of a given surface temperature, some would be dwarfs and others giants, clearly delineated without intermediate specimens.

The New York Times - Books

No other part of the world sustains a greater biomass (total weight of organic matter in a given surface area) than lowland tropical rainforests.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A normal map's specular information tells the game's core program, called a game engine, how to treat a given surface, Mr. Matthies said in a telephone interview from his office near Stockholm.

The New York Times - Tech

He was able to establish a profound connection between the minimum number of curves needed to do this for a given surface and the number of functions (becoming infinite at specified points) that the surface could then support.

Encyclopedia Britannica

MORE than two decades ago Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, predicted that the cost of microchip transistors would decrease because the number that could be etched into a given surface area of silicon would double roughly every two years.

The Economist

People started to pronounce it deceased not long after Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, a chipmaker, published on April 19th 1965 a paper arguing that the number of transistors that can be etched on a given surface area of silicon would double every year.

The Economist

This study suggests optimal cutting conditions to achieve a given surface integrity and improve fatigue life.

Procedia Engineering

The missing data are compensated by a total flux condition through a given surface.

Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a given surface", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the surface 'given'—whether it's a pre-existing condition, a selection, or a parameter in an experiment.

Common error

Avoid using "a given surface" when a simpler adjective like "specific" or "particular" suffices. Overusing "given" can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose or redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a given surface" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "surface". It specifies that the surface being referred to is predetermined or established within the context of the discussion. Ludwig AI confirms the proper use of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

22%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a given surface" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to refer to a specific, pre-established surface within a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It is most frequently found in scientific and technical writing, but also appears in news and encyclopedic sources. Alternatives include "a specific surface" and "a particular surface", though these may lack the nuance of predetermination. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what makes the surface 'given'. Avoid overuse to maintain clarity and conciseness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific surface

Replaces "given" with "specific", emphasizing the particularity of the surface.

a particular surface

Substitutes "given" with "particular", highlighting the distinct nature of the surface.

a designated surface

Uses "designated" instead of "given", suggesting a surface assigned for a specific purpose.

a defined surface

Replaces "given" with "defined", emphasizing that the surface has clear boundaries or characteristics.

a set surface

Suggests a pre-determined or fixed surface, shifting the nuance from 'known' to 'established'.

a chosen surface

Implies a deliberate selection of the surface, introducing the aspect of choice.

a selected surface

Similar to "chosen surface", but with a more formal tone.

a predetermined surface

Emphasizes that the surface was decided in advance.

the surface in question

Refers to a surface already under discussion, creating a more direct link to the context.

the surface at hand

Highlights the immediacy and availability of the surface for examination or use.

FAQs

What does "a given surface" mean?

The phrase "a given surface" refers to a specific surface that is already known, defined, or under consideration within a particular context. It indicates that the surface is not arbitrary but has been pre-selected or established for a particular purpose.

What's the difference between "a given surface" and "a specific surface"?

While both phrases indicate a particular surface, "a specific surface" emphasizes the distinct and individual nature of the surface, whereas "a given surface" suggests that the surface is already established or predetermined within the context. The nuance lies in whether you're highlighting the uniqueness or the pre-existence of the surface.

Can I use "a particular surface" instead of "a given surface"?

Yes, "a particular surface" is a suitable alternative in many cases. It emphasizes that you are referring to one surface out of many possibilities. However, it may not fully capture the sense of predetermination implied by "a given surface".

How can I use "a given surface" in a sentence?

You can use "a given surface" to describe a condition or property related to that surface. For example, "The friction coefficient depends on the roughness of a given surface" or "We analyzed the stress distribution on a given surface under load".