a relatively sharp

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a relatively sharp" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is sharp in comparison to other things, indicating a degree of sharpness that is notable but not extreme. Example: "The knife has a relatively sharp edge, making it suitable for precise cutting tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"The hard consonant is a relatively sharp sound that the dog can respond to quickly.

The New York Times

They can also, when suitably focused, give a relatively sharp beam.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Lloyds spending power report, which analysed current account data, also noted a relatively sharp rise in spending on food.

The Guardian - Business

Finally, its explicitness permits readers to make a relatively sharp distinction between the tasks of deciphering and interpreting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The yuan fell by more than 1% against the dollar within a week, a relatively sharp swing for the Chinese currency.

The Economist

His most famous work challenged the "hockey stick" graph of temperature records published by Michael Mann, which showed a relatively sharp rise in temperatures during the second half of the 20th century.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

First, we found that all four networks displayed a characteristic and relatively sharp statistically significant increase in relative subgraph connectivity as successive lower degree nodes are added to the subgraph.

Plosone

The PL emission from the GaP NW is rather weak and is dominated by a series of relatively sharp lines within the 2.05 to 2.32 eV spectral range due to the recombination of excitons bound to various residual impurities.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The excitation cross sections for 21S and 23P states show a strong and relatively sharp maximum in the forward direction, while the maximum in the backward direction extends over a larger angular range.

EPJ Techniques and Instrumentation

A relevant clinical history or identification of a radiation portal with relatively sharp outlines can help to make the correct diagnosis [48].

Insights into Imaging

The bubbles involve gamma rays and, according to the Los Angeles Times, have "relatively sharp edges" — relative to your average bubble.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a relatively sharp" to describe data trends (e.g., "a relatively sharp increase"), ensure the context provides a clear baseline for comparison. Specify what the increase is relative to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a relatively sharp" when describing something that is actually very blunt or dull. Ensure there is a discernible degree of sharpness present to justify the qualifier "relatively".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a relatively sharp" typically functions as a pre-modifier in a noun phrase. It serves to qualify the noun by indicating a degree of sharpness that is notable but not extreme. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a relatively sharp" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something that possesses a notable degree of sharpness compared to a baseline. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely accepted in English writing. Primarily found in scientific and news contexts, it serves to qualify nouns, indicating a level of clarity or intensity that is significant but not extreme. While "a relatively sharp" is versatile, it's important to ensure the context justifies the use of "relatively", avoiding overstatement. Alternatives like "somewhat keen" or "fairly distinct" may be considered depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Somewhat keen

Replaces "relatively sharp" with synonyms that suggest a moderate degree of sharpness.

Moderately acute

Uses "acute" to imply sharpness in a more technical or scientific context.

Fairly distinct

Shifts the focus to clarity and definition rather than literal sharpness.

Reasonably defined

Emphasizes the clarity and precision of an edge or boundary.

Slightly jagged

Implies an uneven sharpness, deviating slightly from a perfectly smooth edge.

Noticeably crisp

Focuses on a clean and clear sharpness, often used in describing images or sounds.

Kind of pointy

Offers a more informal way to describe something that is somewhat sharp.

Barely cutting

Emphasizes minimal sharpness, suggesting the edge is just sharp enough to cut.

Mildly severe

Combines the idea of sharpness with a sense of intensity or impact.

Considerably clearer

This option describes a contrast or a change that is more obvious than before. Focuses on the aspect of 'clarity' in comparison to the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "a relatively sharp" in a sentence?

You can use "a relatively sharp" to describe a feature that is noticeably sharp compared to something else. For example, "The graph showed "a relatively sharp increase" in sales after the marketing campaign".

What's the difference between "a relatively sharp" and "a very sharp"?

"A very sharp" indicates a high degree of sharpness, while "a relatively sharp" suggests it is sharp in comparison to something else, but not necessarily extremely sharp in an absolute sense.

What can I say instead of "a relatively sharp"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "somewhat keen", "fairly distinct", or "moderately acute".

Is it correct to use "a relatively sharp" to describe a decline?

Yes, "a relatively sharp" can describe a decline, such as "a relatively sharp decrease" or "a relatively sharp drop", indicating the rate of decline is more significant than usual.