a total surface area of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a total surface area of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing measurements or calculations related to the surface area of an object or space. Example: "The sculpture has a total surface area of 150 square feet, making it one of the largest pieces in the gallery."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We take a boat to Grey Glacier, which is 28km in length and covers a total surface area of 270km.

The Guardian - Travel

A cube of gold with sides 1 centimeter long has a total surface area of 6 square centimeters.

Stanford University

The two elongated molecules in the asymmetric unit are packed anti-parallel, with the three domains of each molecule covering a total surface area of 22,030 Å22,030

Nature

The instrument has a total surface area of 0.11 m2 and a time resolution of 1 s.

Planetary and Space Science

It has a total surface area of 234 square miles (606 square km), and its surface lies at an elevation of 1,172 feet (357 metres).

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is 25 miles (40 km) long and 10 miles (16 km) wide, with a total surface area of 140 square miles (360 square km), and some three-fifths of it lies within Montenegrin territory.

Britannica

In contrast, scWAT in humans is predominately located just beneath the skin that has a total surface area of 1.5 2.0 m2 in the average human that may be exposed to sunlight.

Nature

The country is very vast, with a total surface area of 94.3 million Swahili, which is a Bantu language, with some Arabic and Far East influence, is the main language, spoken by almost every citizen on this country.

Cornell University

A total surface area of 648.42 microporeropore area of 578.64 microporeropore volume of 0.218 cm3/g and average pore size 9.048 Å were obtained.

Applied Surface Science

The sea measures about 900 miles (1,450 km) east-west by 260 miles (420 km) north-south and occupies a total surface area of 167,000 square miles (433,000 square km).

Encyclopedia Britannica

With a total surface area of about 15,000 square miles (40,000 square km), it opens to the Pacific on the north and to the Solomon Sea on the southeast through Vitiaz and Dampier straits and St. George's Channel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing surface area, always include the units of measurement (e.g., square meters, square feet) to provide context and clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "the total surface area is 200" without specifying the units. Always clarify if it's square meters, square feet, or another relevant unit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a total surface area of" functions as a descriptive quantifier, specifying the extent of a two-dimensional region. It's frequently used to provide precise measurements in various contexts, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

Encyclopedias

22%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a total surface area of" is a common and grammatically correct way to specify the size of a surface. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is most frequently used in scientific contexts, encyclopedias, and news media. When writing, ensure you include the units of measurement to provide clarity. Alternative phrases such as "overall surface area" or "combined surface area" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Using precise language like "a total surface area of" enhances clarity and accuracy in technical and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overall surface area

Focuses on the entirety of the surface without necessarily implying a calculated sum.

total area of surface

Reorders the words while keeping the same basic meaning, slightly altering the emphasis.

combined surface area

Implies adding up multiple surface areas to get a final value.

aggregate surface area

Suggests gathering individual surface areas into one overall measurement.

entire surface area

Emphasizes the completeness of the surface being measured.

net surface area

Implies that any overlapping parts or holes were considered and discounted in the calculation.

complete surface area

Highlights that the measurement includes all aspects of the surface without omission.

total exterior surface

Specificies that the surface area only considers the exterior part.

cumulative surface area

Implies the surface area has increased over time or through the addition of parts.

exposed surface area

Refers to the portion of the surface that is visible or accessible.

FAQs

How is "a total surface area of" used in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, "a total surface area of" is used to precisely define the size of an object's surface, crucial for calculations and comparisons in experiments. For example: "The membrane had "a total surface area of" 10 cm²."

What's the difference between "overall surface area" and "a total surface area of"?

"Overall surface area" describes the general size of a surface, while ""a total surface area of"" provides a precise measurement. They are often interchangeable, but the latter emphasizes accuracy.

Can I use "combined surface area" instead of "a total surface area of"?

Yes, you can use "combined surface area" if you're referring to the sum of multiple surfaces. However, if you're describing a single, continuous surface, ""a total surface area of"" is more appropriate.

What are common units used when stating "a total surface area of"?

Common units include square meters (m²), square feet (ft²), square kilometers (km²), square miles, square centimeters (cm²), and acres, depending on the size of the surface being measured.