an acute angle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an acute angle" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in geometry to describe an angle that measures less than 90 degrees. Example: "In this triangle, angle A is an acute angle, measuring 45 degrees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They make an acute angle.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Valeri's second was a brilliant finish from an acute angle.

The Guardian - Sport

Gimenez fires it from an acute angle just over the bar.

The Guardian - Sport

Aleksandar Kolarov clipped it with a typically ferocious shot from an acute angle.

The Guardian - Sport

Vardy inflicted suitable punishment on his England colleague, intercepting and netting from an acute angle.

The Guardian - Sport

Brisbane claimed consolation in injury time as Emily Gielnik fired home from an acute angle.

The Guardian - Sport

Dad is leaning forward at an acute angle, applying his whole weight against the job.

Stanford University

In the first half, Anderson met Danny Swanson's cross with a superb finish from an acute angle.

The Guardian - Sport

Morata then fired a shot into the side netting from an acute angle after another Spanish attack.

The Guardian - Sport

Chris Erskine's shot was saved by Scott Bain and the striker was on hand to score from an acute angle.

The Guardian - Sport

Eddie Betts plucked the ball off Alan Toovey, found space near the boundary line and converted from an acute angle.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing angles in technical writing, specify the numerical value of "an acute angle" whenever possible for clarity. For instance, 'an acute angle of 30 degrees' is more precise than just 'an acute angle'.

Common error

Avoid misidentifying angles. "Acute angles" are less than 90 degrees, while obtuse angles are greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees. Double-check the measurement or visual representation to ensure accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an acute angle" functions primarily as a descriptive term in geometry and related fields. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage in describing the measure of an angle less than 90 degrees. It modifies a noun by specifying the type of angle.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an acute angle" is a common and grammatically sound term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's primarily used in fields like geometry, science, and news to describe angles less than 90 degrees. While its register tends to be neutral to formal, it appears across varied contexts. When using this phrase, ensure precision by specifying the angle's numerical value when possible and avoiding confusion with obtuse angles. The varied examples provided by Ludwig underscore its widespread applicability in both technical and descriptive scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sharp angle

Replaces "acute" with a synonym emphasizing sharpness.

narrow angle

Substitutes "acute" with a word highlighting the smallness of the angle.

angle less than 90 degrees

Provides a more explicit definition of what constitutes an acute angle.

small angle

Uses a more general term to describe the angle's size.

angle approaching zero

Emphasizes the smallness of the angle relative to zero.

shallow angle

Emphasizes the lack of steepness in the angle.

inclined at a small angle

Focuses on the inclination aspect of the angle.

slightly inclined angle

Highlights the slight inclination.

angle near the horizontal

Relates the angle to the horizontal plane.

angle of convergence

Focuses on converging direction implied by such angle.

FAQs

How to use "an acute angle" in a sentence?

You can use "an acute angle" to describe geometric shapes, directions, or perspectives. For example, "The roof of the house forms "an acute angle" with the wall" or "The light was cast at "an acute angle" to highlight the texture".

What's the difference between "an acute angle" and a right angle?

An acute angle is any angle that measures less than 90 degrees. A right angle measures exactly 90 degrees. Anything larger than a right angle, but less than 180 degrees, is called an obtuse angle.

What are some synonyms for "an acute angle"?

Some alternatives for "an acute angle" include "sharp angle", "narrow angle", or "small angle", depending on the context.

In which fields is the term "an acute angle" most commonly used?

The term "an acute angle" is commonly used in fields such as geometry, trigonometry, architecture, and engineering to describe angles that are less than 90 degrees.