at a microscopic scale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a microscopic scale" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe situations or processes that can only be seen or understood when studied in great detail. For example, "By looking at the problem at a microscopic scale, we were able to identify all of the subtle nuances that were causing the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

The polarization properties of the reflected light show that the surface is rough even at a microscopic scale.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The modelling is carried out at a microscopic scale of a concrete capillary.

Electrochimica Acta

Once achieved, what is left is a tangle of fibres called wood pulp; at a microscopic scale it resembles spaghetti in a rather watery sauce.

The Guardian - Tech

We'll have plastic pipes that can repair themselves or a bridge that when it gets cracked has these machines that rebuild the bridge at a microscopic scale.

The Guardian

Once deposited, the inks solidify very rapidly, enabling the creation of intricate spanning and self-supporting structures, even at a microscopic scale.

Harvard University

Luminescence imaging systems are becoming available for use in luminescence dating, and could potentially allow the dating of sediment and rock at a microscopic scale.

Radiation Measurements

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Foods systems containing polysaccharides and proteins tend to be structurally heterogeneous due to polymer incompatibility and phase separation, at least on a microscopic scale.

Food Hydrocolloids

"Nora can pull it off more easily because she's doing it on a microscopic scale at a high premium," he said, referring to Nora Pouillon, whose restaurant Nora's became completely organic in 1999 and was certified by Oregon Tilth, a large certifying agency, last year.

The New York Times - Food

"I study the world around me for inspiration and look at nature and things on a microscopic scale to create images that are abstract but relatable.

Vice

The heterogeneity, at a local microscopic scale, is revealed by a temperature-dependent equilibrium of lithium ion concentration between at least two different microphases; one dominated by the interactions with chitosan and the other one with polyether.

Electrochimica Acta

We trust Dr McEvoy will agree with us that cancer is clearly an ecological problem, certainly at a near-microscopic scale – but nonetheless an ecological problem as such, and ecology makes no use of rationality.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a microscopic scale" to emphasize the need for high precision or detailed observation. For example, "The self-repairing material functions at a microscopic scale, mending cracks before they become visible."

Common error

Avoid using "at a microscopic scale" when a macroscopic or general level of detail is sufficient. For instance, describing broad market trends doesn't typically require analysis at a microscopic scale.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a microscopic scale" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify the scale at which an action or observation occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound expression commonly used to indicate high levels of detail.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at a microscopic scale" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for indicating that something is being observed or analyzed with a very high degree of precision. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most common in scientific and academic contexts, though it also appears in news media. When using this phrase, remember that it should be employed when the scale of observation genuinely requires microscopic levels of detail. Alternatives like "on a minute level" or "in microscopic detail" may be suitable depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on a minute level

Focuses on the extremely small nature of the scale but uses a simpler phrase.

at the nanoscopic level

Specifies an even smaller scale, using "nanoscopic" instead of "microscopic".

in microscopic detail

Emphasizes the detailed observation rather than the scale itself.

on an extremely small scale

Rephrases using more common vocabulary to indicate small size.

at a subatomic level

Indicates a scale smaller than atomic, implying even greater detail.

with high magnification

Highlights the use of magnification to observe details, shifting focus from scale to method.

in fine detail

Focuses on the level of detail observed, not necessarily the scale.

under a microscope

Specifies the tool used to observe the scale, changing the emphasis.

at a cellular level

Indicates a specific microscopic scale related to cells.

on the scale of atoms

Specifies that the size of things observed corresponds to atoms.

FAQs

How can I use "at a microscopic scale" in a sentence?

You can use "at a microscopic scale" to describe processes, observations, or analyses that occur at a very small level, such as "The material's structure was analyzed "at a microscopic scale" to understand its properties."

What are some alternatives to "at a microscopic scale"?

Some alternatives include "on a minute level", "in microscopic detail", or "at the nanoscopic level", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "at a microscopic scale"?

It's appropriate when discussing phenomena or observations that require the level of detail provided by a microscope or other high-resolution instrument. For example, studying the behavior of cells or the structure of materials "at a microscopic scale".

What does it mean to analyze something "at a microscopic scale"?

Analyzing something "at a microscopic scale" means examining it with such precision that you're observing details too small to be seen with the naked eye. This is essential for fields like biology, materials science, and nanotechnology.