a narrower cross section

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a narrower cross section" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as engineering, physics, or discussions about demographics, where you are comparing different sizes or characteristics of sections or groups. Example: "The new design features a narrower cross section, which improves aerodynamics and reduces drag."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The common rule of Egyptian masons and carpenters was made of wood, had a narrow cross section, and had one beveled edge, with the two left-hand palms carrying the smaller divisions of digits.

Britannica

As a more high-risk proposition, it is bound to appeal to a narrower cross-section.

Independent

Many of those interviewed say there has been a cultural shift, that there was once bipartisan agreement that protecting the environment was a public good, but that has disappeared as public life has become more ideological and parliament drawn from a narrower cross-section of the community.

The Guardian

The turbine blade trailing edge convective cavity generally has a narrow cross-section and often utilizes pin-fins for heat transfer enhancement.

Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science

It obsesses over a nuclear deterrent supported by the overwhelming majority of the population; it speaks to a narrow cross-section of British society, playing to an already convinced gallery of politico obsessives rather than those for whom Labour was founded by and for.

Huffington Post

A spillway with a shallow and broad cross section is suitable for low-erodibility dams, while a spillway with a deep and narrow cross section is suitable for high-erodibility dams.

Engineering Geology

Considering the effects of unsaturated sediment flow and narrowed cross section the diversion channel is enormously eroded.

International Journal of Sediment Research

The narrow cross section of the bone in the middle shaft combined with typical muscle forces acting over it predispose to fracture the bone in this locality.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

The narrow cross section of South America I was exposed to on my ride showed me three major environmental issues concerning the Amazon, its resources, and the people living there.

Huffington Post

The CFB is 7.6 m in height and has a 19×114 mm2 narrow cross-section riser.

Chemical Engineering Science

But this list, we're told, was not a readership poll, but compiled by a panel of "musicians, producers, writers and record label bosses" – which does suggest that the voting panel itself was chosen from a very narrow cross-section of the music industry, presumably to closely reflect the magazine's readership.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In data analysis or demographic studies, specify the parameters that define the "cross section" to avoid ambiguity. For example, "a narrower cross section of the population by age group".

Common error

Avoid using "a narrower cross section" when you actually mean a smaller intersection or subset. "Cross section" refers to a cut or view, not merely a meeting point. Ensure you're describing a sliced view rather than an overlapping set of data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a narrower cross section" functions as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun. It specifies that a particular section, when viewed from a perpendicular angle, has a reduced width compared to another. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a narrower cross section" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe something with reduced width when viewed from a particular perspective. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is adaptable across various fields, including science, news, and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being measured or compared to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "a smaller cross section" or "a more constricted cross section" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a more constricted cross section

Replaces "narrower" with "more constricted", emphasizing the restriction.

a reduced cross sectional area

Uses "reduced cross sectional area" to provide a more technical description.

a smaller cross section

Replaces "narrower" with "smaller", offering a simpler term.

a more limited cross section

Uses "more limited" instead of "narrower", suggesting a restricted scope.

a tighter cross section

Replaces "narrower" with "tighter", conveying a sense of increased compression.

a constricted profile

Changes "cross section" to "profile" and "narrower" to "constricted", altering the description’s focus.

a diminished cross sectional view

Employs "diminished cross sectional view" for a more formal description.

a thin cross section

Substitutes "narrower" with "thin", simplifying the description.

a close-fitting cross section

Uses "close-fitting" in place of "narrower" to suggest a snug fit.

a compressed cross section

Replaces "narrower" with "compressed", highlighting the act of pressing together.

FAQs

How is "a narrower cross section" used in engineering?

In engineering, "a narrower cross section" often refers to a part of a structure or component that has a smaller area when cut perpendicularly to its longest axis. This might influence its strength or flow characteristics.

What does "a narrower cross section" mean in demographic studies?

In demographics, "a narrower cross section" can refer to a more specific or limited subset of a population being analyzed. For example, focusing on "a narrower cross section" of the population may involve looking only at individuals within a specific age range or income bracket.

Can I use "a smaller cross section" instead of "a narrower cross section"?

Yes, "a smaller cross section" is generally interchangeable with "a narrower cross section", especially when referring to physical dimensions. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey, with "narrower" emphasizing width and "smaller" emphasizing overall area.

What's the difference between "a narrow cross section" and "a narrower cross section"?

"A narrow cross section" describes a cross section that is generally small in width. "A narrower cross section" implies a comparison, indicating that one cross section is less wide than another. Therefore, "a narrower cross section" would only be correct when comparing at least two cross sections.