at the size

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the size" is not standard in written English and may be considered awkward or incorrect.
It could be used in contexts discussing dimensions or measurements, but it is better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "The object was designed at the size specified in the blueprints."

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But look at the size of her.

The New Yorker

Look at the size of those cucumbers.

The New York Times

"Look at the size of that celery".

The New York Times

Look at the size of you.

The Guardian - Books

He was horrified at the size.

The New York Times

Look at the size of that victim.

The New York Times - Magazine

Look at the size of it.

MIT Technology Review

"Just look at the size of the prize," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

'Look at the size of that glass!' she says.

The Guardian - Books

They look at the size of your heart.

The New Yorker

Look, for instance, at the size of the problem.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the size" when you want to indicate a state or condition directly related to the dimensions, but double-check if a more common phrasing improves clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "at the size" in contexts where it sounds forced or unnatural. Overuse can make your writing sound stilted. Always consider more common and fluent alternatives like "of the size".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the size" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to describe reactions or assessments directly related to the dimensions of something. Examples from Ludwig show it modifying verbs like "look", "surprise", and "astonish", indicating a response to dimensions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The prepositional phrase "at the size" is frequently used to express a reaction or assessment tied to the dimensions of something. While considered acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that in many contexts, alternatives like "of the size" or rephrasing may provide greater clarity and grammatical elegance. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic writing, the phrase is generally neutral in register, but it’s important to consider more formal options in professional settings to avoid any awkwardness. When in doubt, evaluating the context and experimenting with alternatives will help ensure the most appropriate and fluent phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of that dimension

Replaces "at the size" with a focus on specific dimension.

with those dimensions

Expresses possession of dimensions rather than a state.

of that scale

More succinct way of expressing same concept

in that magnitude

Emphasizes the quantity or extent.

on this scale

Highlights relative proportions.

regarding the size

More formal and explicit.

given the magnitude

Focuses on the magnitude as a condition.

concerning its dimensions

Very formal; used in technical contexts.

taking into account its magnitude

Magnitude considered and highlighted.

with reference to its dimensions

Highly formal and technical.

FAQs

How can I use "at the size" in a sentence?

You can use "at the size" to describe a reaction or assessment based on dimensions, as in "He was surprised "at the size" of the crowd". However, it may sound more natural to use "of the size" or rephrase entirely.

What are some alternatives to "at the size"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "of the size", "in size", "given the dimensions", or "regarding its magnitude" for similar meanings.

Which is more correct, "at the size" or "of the size"?

"Of the size" is generally considered grammatically standard and often preferred. "At the size" can be acceptable in certain contexts, particularly where a reaction or state is directly linked to the dimensions, but "of the size" is generally safer.

When is it appropriate to use "at the size" instead of other alternatives?

Use "at the size" when you want to emphasize an immediate reaction or condition prompted by dimensions. For example, "They were astonished "at the size" and passion of the response". However, always ensure the phrasing sounds natural and not forced.