at a depth of

USAGE SUMMARY

"at a depth of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe the specific depth of something, such as water, soil, or a hole. Example: The divers reached the shipwreck at a depth of 100 feet. In this sentence, "at a depth of 100 feet" specifies exactly how far down the divers went to reach the shipwreck.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was recovered at a depth of 14,000 feet.

The New York Times

At a depth of 700 metres, things are almost unchanged.

The Economist

The recorders were at a depth of 30-32 metres (99-106 feet), he said.

The Guardian

The quake struck at a depth of 6.2 miles, the agency said.

The New York Times

The plane wreck itself was located in June, at a depth of 76 metres.

The Guardian

The temblor occurred at 6.25am Pacific time at a depth of 5.0 miles.

The Guardian - Tech

The wreckage was believed to be at a depth of about 3,000m (9,800ft).

The Guardian

The shallow quake was measured at a depth of about six miles (10km).

The Guardian

The US Geological Survey said the tremor occurred at a depth of 2.5 miles.

The Guardian

But here, Chip would be using the buckets underwater — at a depth of nearly 200 feet.

The New York Times

The tremblor occurred at 6 25 A.M. Pacific Time at a depth of 5.0 miles".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the location of objects underwater or underground, use "at a depth of" to clearly indicate the vertical distance from the surface. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "deep" as a direct replacement for "at a depth of". "Deep" is an adjective describing the extent, while "at a depth of" specifies the measurement from a surface. For example, say "The wreck is at a depth of 30 meters" not "The wreck is deep 30 meters."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a depth of" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by providing information about the location or extent of an action or state. As Ludwig AI suggests it's used to describe the specific depth of something. Examples include indicating where an object is located or where an event occurred.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a depth of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase. As Ludwig AI stated, it serves to provide precise information about the vertical distance below a surface and is used in various contexts, including news, science, and general descriptions. When writing, use "at a depth of" to specify the exact measurement from a surface and avoid confusing "depth" with the adjective "deep". By following these guidelines, you can effectively use the phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to a depth of

Uses "to" instead of "at" providing a slightly different perspective on the measurement, focusing on reaching a certain depth.

extending to a depth of

Emphasizes the vertical extent or reach of something.

down to a depth of

Adds emphasis on the downward movement or extent of measurement.

reaching a depth of

Focuses on the act of attaining a specific depth, highlighting the process rather than the state.

at a level of

Replaces "depth" with "level", suitable when referring to horizontal strata or layers.

measuring a depth of

Focuses on the measurement process when indicating a certain depth.

situated at a depth of

Indicates the position or location of something based on its depth.

located at a depth of

Synonymous with "situated at a depth of", providing another option for indicating position based on depth.

at a distance below

Replaces "depth" with "distance below", emphasizing the spatial separation from a reference point.

at an altitude of (negative)

Applies to heights below a reference point, like sea level which can be considered as a negative altitude.

FAQs

How can I use "at a depth of" in a sentence?

Use "at a depth of" to specify the distance below a surface. For example, "The submarine operated "at a depth of" 500 meters".

What are some alternatives to "at a depth of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "to a depth of", "at a level of", or "down to a depth of".

Which is correct: "The treasure was buried deep" or "The treasure was buried at a depth of X meters"?

"The treasure was buried deep" is grammatically correct, but it is less precise. "The treasure was buried "at a depth of" X meters" provides a specific measurement and is often preferred for clarity.

What's the difference between "deep" and "at a depth of"?

"Deep" is an adjective describing the extent of something from the surface, whereas ""at a depth of"" is a prepositional phrase that specifies a precise measurement from a surface.