at a gross scale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a gross scale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is being considered or analyzed in a broad or large context, often implying a lack of detail or precision. Example: "The environmental impact of the project was assessed at a gross scale, leading to concerns about its long-term effects."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

At a gross scale, there was no obvious division into small and large intestine, as also reported in six other morphometrics studies in bats (reviewed by [26]).

Plosone

The chromosome arms of these species are homologous and have extremely high degrees of synteny [ 28] they appear to mostly differ at a gross scale in their distribution of satellite repeats.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

During weeks two and three, student teams make a series of observations, both at the gross scale and the micro scale (using dissecting and compound microscopes, respectively), of live and preserved animals representing nine animal phyla that form the basis of their study.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

At this gross scale, areas that are currently inaccessible are significantly higher in elevation, are colder in the winter, warmer in the summer, and drier than those that continue to be accessible to anadromous salmonids.

Evolutionary Applications

On a more gross scale, fetal guinea pigs with placental insufficiency had reduced cross-sectional corpus callosum and striatum area.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology

The functions of most of these genes have been analyzed, at a gross level, in large-scale RNA interference (RNAi) screens [ 26, 27].

BMC Genomics

Comparisons between the infant and adult brain activity was considered on a gross anatomical scale.

eLife

At a gross level, the mutant over-branching and supernumerary bouton formation were eliminated (Fig. 4A), and, at a fine scale, the accumulation of developmentally arrested satellite boutons was prevented (Fig. 4B).

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

The slow HCN emitting plants were indistinguishable at a gross morphological level from the wild type.

Genetics

At a gross level, all four data sets appear quite similar.

BMC Genomics

So the chances of rigging on an even grosser scale have sharply increased.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a gross scale" when you want to indicate that you are considering something from a high-level, general perspective, without focusing on specific details.

Common error

Avoid using "at a gross scale" when you intend to describe something with meticulous detail. "Gross" in this context refers to broadness, not intricacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a gross scale" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the scope or level of detail being considered. It specifies that something is being viewed or analyzed in a broad, general manner. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in scientific and analytical contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a gross scale" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to denote a broad or general perspective. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Although relatively rare, it appears mainly in scientific and academic contexts, serving to indicate that something is being considered without specific details. While alternatives like "on a large scale" or "in broad terms" exist, "at a gross scale" provides a distinct nuance of a high-level overview, frequently in professional and scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on a large scale

Replaces "gross" with "large", emphasizing the magnitude being considered.

in broad terms

Uses a more common idiom to express a general overview.

at a macro level

Replaces "gross" with "macro", indicating a high-level perspective.

in general terms

Similar to "in broad terms", focusing on the general nature of the description.

from a high-level perspective

More explicitly states the broad viewpoint being taken.

at a strategic level

Suggests the overview is related to planning or strategy.

on the whole

Implies a summary or overall assessment.

in its entirety

Focuses on considering something complete without detail.

at a superficial level

Emphasizes the lack of depth in the analysis.

at first glance

Suggests an initial, cursory observation.

FAQs

What does "at a gross scale" mean?

The phrase "at a gross scale" means considering something broadly or generally, without focusing on specific details or intricacies. It implies a high-level overview.

What can I say instead of "at a gross scale"?

You can use alternatives like "on a large scale", "in broad terms", or "at a macro level", depending on the specific context.

Is "at a gross scale" formal or informal?

"At a gross scale" is generally considered neutral to formal, often used in scientific or technical contexts rather than casual conversation.

How do you use "at a gross scale" in a sentence?

Example: "The impact of the policy was assessed "at a gross scale", without considering the nuances of local implementation."