ball of technology

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ball of technology" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used metaphorically to describe a collection or cluster of technological advancements or innovations, but clarity may be lacking without context. Example: "In today's world, we find ourselves in a ball of technology, where advancements are rapidly changing our daily lives."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"The first speech I gave [as science adviser] was at the National Academy, where I said that the ball of technology had a massive amount of momentum and the ball of basic science is fragile and can be easily crushed," Keyworth recalls.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They are still black and white, and one real challenge will be finding a way to make the balls color," said Kimberly Allen, director of technology and strategic research for iSuppli/Stanford Resources.

Forbes

In 1895, Cinderella went to the ball at Drury Lane with the help of technology and a new-fangled invention called the motor carriage, which blazed with 500 electric lamps.

The Guardian

There, they learned (via an endless ream of brochures) about the heights of party and ball gown technology.

Vice

The role of advanced visual information in ball catching was investigated by integrating video images of action and ball projection technology in four different conditions: Integrated video and ball projection (VBP), Video-Only (VO), Ball Projection-Only (BPO) and Misleading Ball projection (MBP).

Procedia Engineering

Use ball-of-foot pads.

WikiHow

It added: "The continued use of ball-tracking technology as a decision-making aid will depend on bilateral agreement between the participating members".

BBC

Golf is slowly coming to its senses with a rules modification that addresses the application of technology in determining minuscule movement of balls.

Independent

A transmitter in a golf ball would be a very sophisticated embedding - literally - of technology in the sport.

BBC

There is no piece of technology good enough to show if the ball has definitely taken the edge and that means it is flawed.

BBC

As cleat and ball manufacturing technology has improved, the number of players who can swerve the ball over or around a wall is growing.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ball of technology", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean a collection of technologies, the rapid pace of technological change, or the overall impact of technology on society. Consider alternatives like "technological sphere" or "realm of technology" for greater clarity.

Common error

Don't assume your audience understands the metaphorical meaning of "ball of technology" without providing sufficient context. Overuse can lead to vagueness, diminishing the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ball of technology" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. While Ludwig identifies its usage, its metaphorical nature requires clear contextualization to avoid ambiguity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ball of technology" is a metaphorical phrase used to describe a complex, interconnected, and rapidly evolving technological landscape. Ludwig identifies it as grammatically acceptable, but notes its relatively rare usage and potential for ambiguity without sufficient context. While it appears across diverse sources like Science Magazine, Forbes, and The Guardian, more common and explicit alternatives such as ""technological sphere"" or "realm of technology" might be more appropriate depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

technological sphere

Emphasizes the scope and encompassing nature of technology.

realm of technology

Highlights the domain or territory that technology occupies.

cluster of technologies

Focuses on a group or collection of interconnected technologies.

technological innovation hub

Highlights a central point for technological innovation and development.

web of technology

Emphasizes the interconnected and complex nature of technology.

technological advancement surge

Highlights a rapid increase in technological developments.

technological frontier

Focuses on the leading edge of technological development.

arsenal of technology

Suggests a collection of technological tools and resources.

technological infrastructure

Highlights the underlying systems and structures of technology.

complex of technological systems

Emphasizes the complexity and interconnectedness of technological systems.

FAQs

How can I use "ball of technology" in a sentence?

You can use "ball of technology" to describe a complex and rapidly evolving technological landscape. For example, "Navigating the current "technological sphere" requires constant adaptation."

What's a good substitute for "ball of technology"?

Consider using alternatives like "realm of technology", "technological innovation hub", or ""technological sphere"" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "ball of technology" a commonly used phrase?

While grammatically correct, "ball of technology" isn't a widely used phrase. It's more metaphorical and may require contextual explanation. More common phrases might include "technological advancement surge" or "web of technology".

What does "ball of technology" imply?

It typically implies a complex and interconnected system of technological advancements, often suggesting rapid change and significant impact. The term conveys the idea that technology acts as a concentrated and dynamic force.