at detail

USAGE SUMMARY

'at detail' is not a correct and usable phrase in written English.
If you want to use a phrase meaning 'in detail', you should use 'in detail', not 'at detail'. For example: "She described the plan in detail."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

As we roam around, looking at detail after detail, we see two kinds of world.

Independent

The President of the Council will also need to be good at detail, also not Tony Blair's strongest quality.

Independent

From talking to people who have had constituency dealings with her, she is sharp, good at detail and her record suggests that she is more interested in both public transport and the environment than her predecessor, who would use his ministerial car for the short hop from his office to the Commons and admitted he was too scared to cycle in London.

The Guardian - Opinion

Over the course of the next few hours, she tells me she isn't that good at making, isn't very good at detail, that she tried to learn welding four times, and found it comical "wearing these huge gloves and blackened glasses – you can't pick anything up!" When she was an art student in the 1960s, Barlow found the idea of painting – with its flat, rectangular form – restrictive.

The Guardian - Arts

Start at detail level and build to conclusion.

Forbes

Some people excel at detail and follow-up.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Each mat is $6 at Details, 188 Columbus Avenue (69th Street).

The New York Times

Cooper is expert at detailing the effects of emotional crossfire.

The Guardian - Books

Following is a closer look at details of six rooms.

The New York Times

Look at details like body size and beak shape.

Cornell University

Some people are wonderful at detail-oriented tasks, others excel at creative thinking and some are brilliant communicators.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the accuracy and thoroughness of information, consider using alternatives like "with precision" or "exhaustively" to convey a more sophisticated and technically sound tone.

Common error

Avoid using "at detail" in formal writing. While it may occasionally appear, it's grammatically incorrect. Always opt for "in detail" to maintain credibility and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at detail" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, but its use is often incorrect. It attempts to specify a focus or scope, but it is grammatically inaccurate. Ludwig AI indicates that "at detail" is not a correct and usable phrase. The proper form is "in detail".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at detail" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's intended to convey thoroughness or specificity, but is inaccurate; Ludwig AI highlights this. The correct alternative is "in detail", which ensures grammatical accuracy. While the phrase appears across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, maintaining correctness is essential for credibility. Alternatives such as "with precision" or "specifically" can also enhance clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in detail

Replaces the incorrect "at" with the correct preposition "in".

with precision

Focuses on the accuracy and exactness of the detail.

specifically

Highlights a particular detail from a larger context.

minutely

Emphasizes the smallness and intricacy of the detail.

exhaustively

Suggests a comprehensive and thorough examination of the detail.

point by point

Indicates a sequential consideration of each detail.

item by item

Suggests going through details in an organized manner.

with thoroughness

Indicates that the detail is carefully considered.

to the letter

Implies adhering strictly to every single detail.

particularly

Emphasizes the uniqueness and importance of the detail.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "at detail"?

The correct way to express "at detail" is to use "in detail". This ensures grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Is "at detail" ever appropriate to use?

While you might encounter "at detail" in some contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's best to stick with "in detail" or other alternatives.

What can I say instead of "at detail" to sound more professional?

For a professional tone, replace "at detail" with phrases like "with precision" or "specifically". These alternatives convey accuracy and thoroughness.

How does "in detail" differ from "at detail"?

"In detail" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase meaning comprehensively or thoroughly, while "at detail" is not recognized as standard English. Choosing the former ensures clarity and accuracy in your writing.