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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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a smaller time scale

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a smaller time scale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing events or processes that occur over a shorter duration compared to others. Example: "In this experiment, we will observe the reactions on a smaller time scale to better understand the initial changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Therefore, using a 5-min error margin has a stronger effect on a smaller time scale, as in the 12-min conditions.

Science

Plosone

Variability in biotic and abiotic conditions during the reproductive period has been assumed to cause changes in activity patterns on a smaller time scale [ 18].

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The aforementioned studies are under a given energy capacity for economic operation at a small time scale (12 or 24 hours).

The objectives of the experimental study are to verify the hypotheses of a small time scale fatigue crack growth model and to develop a new experimental methodology for the detailed mechanism investigation of fatigue crack growth.

A comparative study is performed to demonstrate the difference and similarity between the two driving force approach and a small time scale model under both constant and variable amplitude loading.

The heuristic mode selection (MS) algorithm proposed in [20] uses probing signals between the D2D transmitter and receiver to estimate the interference plus noise power and the BS has the task to estimate the transmit power, SINR and throughput in each possible communication modes on a small time scale matching with that of the transmission time interval.

The result in the dashed line is when the light is focused on ch.1 and the result in the solid line is when the light is focused on ch.2 Fig. 7 Measured VLC signals in ch.1 and ch.2 with a small time scale in a time slot 1 and b time slot 2. Figure 8 shows the amplitudes of the received VLC signals as a function of transmission distance before and after the TDMA optical beamforming.

Such correlation at a small time scale is remarkable given the relative scarcity of ARGOS data.

Science

Plosone

For the detection of a potential system with oscillatory behaviour, the fraction of Nanog-high vs. Nanog-low needs to be determined on a small time scale.

Science

Plosone

In addition, comparative genomics of related species, such as the 12 Drosophila genomes [107], [108], [109], and even at the intraspecific level (ref. [103] shows an extraordinary snapshot of ongoing intron gains in waterfleas) bring valuable data at a small time scale, which is the best way of estimating current rates and mechanisms of intron gain and loss.

Science

Plosone

Moreover, if the transition entropy seems to converge to a small value on a small time scale, and the entropy does not, this behavior illustrates the case of a transient cycle in the transition graph.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing changes or processes, use "a smaller time scale" to emphasize that these occur over short durations. This is particularly useful in scientific or technical contexts where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "a smaller time scale" when you actually mean a smaller scope or range. Time scale refers specifically to duration, while scope refers to the extent or coverage of something.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a smaller time scale" functions as an adverbial modifier specifying the duration or period over which an action, process, or event occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a smaller time scale" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, particularly within scientific and technical writing. As Ludwig AI indicates, it effectively specifies a shorter duration for observing or analyzing events. While the phrase is generally precise, it is important to avoid confusion with scope, ensuring that it is used to refer specifically to duration and not the extent or coverage of a phenomenon. Alternatives such as "a shorter time frame" or "a compressed timescale" can provide nuance depending on the intended meaning.

FAQs

What does "a smaller time scale" mean?

The phrase "a smaller time scale" refers to a shorter duration or interval over which events or processes occur. It is often used in scientific and technical contexts to describe phenomena that happen quickly or are measured with high temporal resolution.

How can I use "a smaller time scale" in a sentence?

You can use "a smaller time scale" to describe observations, experiments, or models where the focus is on short durations. For example: "We observed the reaction kinetics on "a smaller time scale" to capture the initial reaction steps."

What are some alternatives to "a smaller time scale"?

Is it correct to say "smaller time scales" instead of "a smaller time scale"?

Yes, "smaller time scales" is the plural form and is appropriate when referring to multiple durations or intervals. For instance, "We analyzed the data across various smaller time scales to identify patterns."

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