at several degrees

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at several degrees" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing temperature, angles, or levels of intensity in various contexts. Example: "The experiment was conducted at several degrees to determine the optimal temperature for the reaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Traditional thermosensitive liposomes are composed of lipids that undergo a gel-to-liquid phase transition at several degrees above physiological temperature.

Journal of Controlled Release

In annealing, the steel is usually held for several hours at several degrees below Ar1 (shown by the P-S-K line in the figure) and then slowly cooled.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There is a sense in the poker room of being among the anointed, at several degrees of separation from the robots at the slots or the suckers battling the odds at games with names like Caribbean Stud, which bear a deceptive resemblance to real poker but which the poker vet scorns as inventions that give the house a considerable edge.

The New York Times

This theory, advanced most prominently by Stephen Clifford in 1987, proposes that not only would surface ice insulate inner layers from the sub-freezing surface temperatures, but that the pressure exerted by those millions of tons of ice and rock would substantially lower the melting point of water so that it remains liquid even at several degrees below zero Celsius.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The temperature is held at 18.5C (65F), several degrees cooler than the sunny July day outside, while a humidifier keeps the moisture level tightly controlled.

The Guardian

The divergence of the times required to reach equilibrium noted in the literature at temperatures several degrees below the nominal Tg is attributed to the effects of nonlinearity.

Polymer

But the temperature is increased by at least several degrees by the sun every single day, starting when the sun rises.

BBC

The heat flux from the rocky core only raises the temperature of the water mantle by, at most, several degrees above 273 K.

Earth, Planets and Space

Although there is the heat flux from the inside of the rocky core at the outer boundary of the rocky core, the temperature change in the water mantle due to the flux is estimated to be, at most, several degrees of kelvin, and we just assume that the temperature of the water mantle is kept equal to 273 K.

Earth, Planets and Space

At very high temperatures (more than 20°C) the feeding rate of most salmonids declines sharply, and is completely inhibited at temperatures several degrees below the incipient lethal level.

Plosone

The present study suggests that the increased growth rates of fish with elevated GH levels were supported at temperatures several degrees higher than in the wild-type fish.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing temperature changes, be precise. If you have the exact temperature, use it instead of "at several degrees" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "at several degrees" in scientific or technical writing where precise measurements are crucial. Opt for specific values or ranges to ensure accuracy and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at several degrees" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to specify a degree, amount or intensity. Ludwig indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at several degrees" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for indicating a general difference, intensity, or separation. As supported by Ludwig, it is found in various sources, including scientific articles, news reports, and encyclopedias. While not exceedingly common, its usage is appropriate in contexts where an approximate rather than a precise measurement is sufficient. It's important to use specific numbers for clarity in technical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to a certain extent

Indicates a limited degree or scope, focusing on the limitation rather than the specific measurement.

by a few degrees

Specifies a small quantity or increment, replacing the more general "several" with a specific quantifier.

within a few degrees

Indicates a range or tolerance level, adding a sense of allowable variation around a central value.

at varying levels

Emphasizes the variation or difference in the degrees or levels, rather than focusing on a specific quantity.

in varying amounts

Focuses on the quantity, but it could work in the context of temperature when talking about temperature variations.

to some degree

Indicates that something is true or exists partly, but not completely.

on a number of levels

Suggests consideration from multiple perspectives or categories, slightly broader than a specific measurement.

at multiple points

Focuses on distinct locations or instances, shifting the emphasis from a continuous scale.

across various scales

Highlights the range of measurement or intensity, broadening the context from a specific value.

with some separation

Emphasizes the act of distancing or differentiating, moving away from a precise quantitative assessment.

FAQs

What does "at several degrees" mean?

The phrase "at several degrees" indicates a difference or measurement involving a few degrees, typically in the context of temperature, angles, or levels of separation. It implies more than one or two, but not a large number.

How can I use "at several degrees" in a sentence?

You can use "at several degrees" to describe temperature differences (e.g., "The temperature dropped "at several degrees" overnight"), levels of separation (e.g., "They were "at several degrees" of separation from the main issue"), or angular measurements (e.g., "The building tilted "at several degrees" after the earthquake").

What are some alternatives to "at several degrees"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "to a certain extent", "by a few degrees", "within a few degrees", or "at varying levels".

Is it better to use a specific number instead of "at several degrees"?

In technical or scientific writing, using a specific number is generally preferred for clarity and precision. However, ""at several degrees"" is suitable in general contexts where an approximate value is sufficient.