a solid line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a solid line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a line that is continuous and unbroken, often in contexts related to drawing, design, or graphical representations. Example: "In the diagram, the boundary is represented by a solid line to indicate that it is a definitive limit."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

These graphs show real-world data (first from the MIT work, then from our research), plotted in a solid line.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But it does not make me want to draw a solid line from Point A to Point B".

The New York Times

But Buffalo plans to support him with good receivers, a solid line, a strong running game and a stiff defense.

The New York Times - Sports

For instance, a solid line between words still denotes synonyms, but a dashed line may indicate that "tulip" is a type of liliaceous plant.

The New York Times - Tech

The cumulative earthquake number is shown by a solid line.

Earth, Planets and Space

(a) Solid line and (b) dashed line in Figure 1.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

The plot shows the estimated ICC using a solid line.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

The source area of the 1964 Alaska earthquake (Mw9.2) is enclosed by a solid line.

Earth, Planets and Space

The distribution of likelihoods expected from Eqs. (11) and (12) is indicated with a solid line.

Earth, Planets and Space

In every graph, each of the individuals without control is represented by a solid line.

Advances in Difference Equations

The source area of the 1952 Kamchatka earthquake (Mw9.0) is enclosed by a solid line.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing graphical representations, use "a solid line" to clearly indicate a continuous, unbroken line as opposed to dashed or dotted lines. It's commonly used in charts, diagrams, and technical drawings.

Common error

Avoid using "a solid line" when you actually mean "a guideline". "A solid line" refers to a visual element, whereas a guideline provides direction or advice. For example, instead of saying "Follow a solid line of conduct", say "Follow a set of guidelines" or "Maintain a high standard of conduct".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a solid line" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it describes a continuous, unbroken line. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in technical descriptions and graphical representations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

22%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a solid line" is a frequently used phrase that denotes a continuous, unbroken line, commonly found in visual representations like graphs and diagrams. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and serves a descriptive or explanatory purpose. Its usage spans various domains, with a strong presence in science, news, and technical writing. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intended visual element, differentiating it from other line types like dashed or dotted lines.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unbroken line

Emphasizes the continuity of the line, similar to "a solid line".

a continuous line

Focuses on the uninterrupted nature of the line.

a firm line

Suggests a line that is clear and well-defined.

an uninterrupted line

Similar to "an unbroken line", emphasizing continuity.

a bold line

Highlights the thickness and visibility of the line.

a definite line

Implies a clear and distinct boundary.

a single line

Stresses the singularity of the line.

a consistent line

Highlights the uniformity of the line.

a constant line

Suggests that the line remains the same without variation.

a reliable line

Indicates that the line is dependable and consistent.

FAQs

How can I use "a solid line" in a sentence?

"A solid line" is used to describe a continuous, unbroken line, often in diagrams or charts. For example, "The graph uses "a solid line" to represent the data." or "The border is marked by "a solid line"."

What's the difference between "a solid line" and "a dashed line"?

"A solid line" is continuous and unbroken, while "a dashed line" consists of a series of short, separated segments. They are used to represent different types of information on graphs or diagrams. For instance, "a solid line" might indicate actual data, while a dashed line indicates predicted values.

What can I use instead of "a solid line" in technical writing?

In technical writing, you could use alternatives like "an unbroken line" or "a continuous line" to describe the same visual element. The choice depends on the specific context and the emphasis you want to convey.

Is "solid line" or "a solid line" more appropriate?

While both are understandable, "a solid line" is generally more appropriate when referring to a specific instance of a solid line. "Solid line" without the article is used more generically, such as when discussing the properties of solid lines in general.