be of comparable size

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be of comparable size" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the relative dimensions or volumes of two or more objects or entities. Example: "The two buildings are designed to be of comparable size, ensuring they blend well within the urban landscape."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

This is because we want all the compared complex sets to be of comparable size.

Bioinformatics

Together, the DLS and TEM measurements of mammalian VLPs were consistent and show the VLPs to be of comparable size and morphology to native influenza viruses.

Plosone

Since the testes appear to be of comparable size and structure in all flies surveyed, some of the transcripts identified by Moehring et al. [13] may be underexpressed in other tissues.

Plosone

Large secondary regenerates were patterned normally in terms of pigment cells, gross organization of the vasculature and taste bud distribution, and could be of comparable size to the primary regenerates (Fig. 12A).

Plosone

They concluded that in some situations the impact of KIEs of pyruvate dehydrogenase on the labeling of acetyl-CoA may be of comparable size to the measurement errors in GC-MS, hence introducing a significant bias in the estimated fluxes.

BMC Systems Biology

To derive ecological covariates, we aggregated census data from 1991 describing socioeconomic and demographic characteristics to the smaller "neighborhood" scale of census tracts as well as to the larger "community" scale of census divisions, which may correspond to (or be of comparable size to) counties.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Compared with the LAC wild-type strain, LACΔhlgABC caused abscesses that were of comparable size, and the time required for resolution of abscesses was similar between the strains (Fig. 7A).

Plosone

This sudden increase was most pronounced when the next meerkat in line was of comparable size.

The Guardian

The house is on 40 acres, and many neighboring properties are of comparable size.

The New York Times

Although Stamford is much larger -- 37.7 square miles as opposed to 9.9 -- the two cities' downtown areas are of comparable size.

The New York Times

Beautifully preserved specimens show impressions of its feathers, from which it can be inferred that the wings were of comparable size to those of similar flying birds today.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing sizes, ensure the context clearly defines what 'size' refers to (e.g., volume, area, length) to avoid ambiguity. For example, state whether you are comparing the height, width, or overall area.

Common error

Avoid using "be of comparable size" when you mean "be of identical size". "Comparable" suggests similarity, not exact equivalence. If precise equality is intended, use alternatives like "be the same size" or "be equal in size".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be of comparable size" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its size relative to another object or entity. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be of comparable size" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express similarity in size between two or more entities. As Ludwig confirms, its applications span diverse fields such as science and news reporting. It's important to ensure the context clarifies the specific dimension being compared and that "comparable" is not mistaken for "identical". Remember that while versatile, more precise language might be necessary for scenarios demanding exact measurement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be similarly sized

This alternative uses a more concise phrasing, focusing directly on the similarity in size.

be of similar scale

This shifts the focus slightly from physical size to overall scale or extent.

be approximately equal in size

This alternative emphasizes the approximate nature of the equality in size.

be roughly the same size

This suggests a less precise comparison, indicating that the sizes are close but not necessarily identical.

be of equivalent dimensions

This focuses on the dimensions (length, width, height) being similar, rather than just the overall size.

be on a similar scale

Focuses on the relative proportions rather than absolute measurements.

be nearly identical in size

Emphasizes that the sizes are extremely close to each other.

be of the same order of magnitude

This emphasizes the similarity in magnitude or scale but may not necessarily imply physical size.

be close in size

This is a more general way of expressing that the sizes are similar.

have similar measurements

Focuses specifically on the measurements of the objects being compared.

FAQs

How can I use "be of comparable size" in a sentence?

You can use "be of comparable size" to describe two or more items that have similar dimensions. For example: "The two rooms are designed to "be of comparable size" to accommodate similar functions."

What are some alternatives to "be of comparable size"?

Alternatives include "be similarly sized", "be approximately equal in size", or "be roughly the same size", depending on the level of precision you want to convey.

What is the difference between "be of comparable size" and "be of equal size"?

"Be of comparable size" suggests a similarity in size, while "be of equal size" indicates that the sizes are exactly the same. Comparable implies they are close, but not necessarily identical.

Is it appropriate to use "be of comparable size" in formal writing?

Yes, "be of comparable size" is appropriate for formal writing. However, consider your audience and the context. In some cases, a more precise term like "be of equal size" might be more suitable if exact dimensions are important.