be of degree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be of degree" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts discussing levels or extents of something, but it is better to use clearer expressions. Example: "The results of the experiment may be of degree that we did not anticipate."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

But the differences should be of degree.

The Economist

We then looked more closely at these differences to ask whether they were more likely to be of degree (a dimension) or kind (a taxon).

The New York Times

Such a wff is known as an atomic formula, and the predicate variable in it is said to be of degree n, if n is the number of individual variables following it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hence, the polynomial D α 1 p ( z ) must be of degree (n - 1).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

A nonoscillatory solution x ( t ) of (E) is said to be of degree ℓ if x ( t ) ∈ N ℓ.

Advances in Difference Equations

Here a bivariate term c i j x i y j is said to be of degree i + j.

Advances in Difference Equations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

A proper modality is of degree higher than zero.

SEP

So we use X which is of degree increasing type.

Pacific Journal of Mathematics for Industry

The condition on Λ (step 1 above) means that X is of degree increasing type.

Pacific Journal of Mathematics for Industry

If X x,y):=5x 3 y 2+12x y 2+7x y+6x+5, then X is of degree increasing type.

Pacific Journal of Mathematics for Industry

Thus lines are of degree 1, being expressed as polynomials ax+by+c, while circles centered on (x′, y′) are of degree 2, being expressed as polynomials (x−x′)²+ y−y′)²−r².

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be of degree", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the degree refers to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the characteristic or property being measured or qualified.

Common error

Avoid using "be of degree" in overly abstract or vague contexts where a more concrete or descriptive phrase would be clearer. Replace it with a more specific descriptor that directly conveys the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be of degree" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that qualifies or describes the nature or extent of something. This construction is often used to indicate that differences or qualities are matters of scale rather than fundamental differences in kind. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be of degree" serves to express that differences or characteristics exist on a continuous scale rather than as distinct categories. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage across various contexts including science, news, and encyclopedias, highlighting its versatility in formal writing. While acceptable, it's important to ensure clarity and avoid overly abstract usage, as Ludwig AI suggests. Related phrases like "possess a certain level" may offer more specific alternatives depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possess a certain level

Replaces "be of degree" with a more explicit indication of possessing a specific level or quality.

exhibit a particular extent

Emphasizes the extent or scope of a characteristic, replacing "degree" with "extent".

demonstrate a specific quality

Focuses on the demonstration of a certain quality, rather than the level of intensity.

display a certain intensity

Highlights the intensity or strength of a particular attribute.

have a defined magnitude

Uses "magnitude" to express the size or importance of something.

show a measurable level

Highlights the measurability of the level being discussed.

reflect a certain grade

Employs "grade" to denote a specific ranking or classification.

reveal a notable amount

Focuses on revealing a quantity or amount of something.

represent a specified amount

Highlights the representation of a particular quantity or amount.

consist of a defined quantity

Focuses on the composition of something in terms of a defined quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "be of degree" in a sentence?

Use "be of degree" to indicate the extent, level, or intensity of a particular quality or characteristic. For example: "The differences should "be of degree"" or "The cues are of varying "degrees of subtlety"".

What are some alternatives to using "be of degree"?

Alternatives include phrases like "possess a certain level", "exhibit a particular extent", or "demonstrate a specific quality", depending on the specific context.

Is "be of degree" formal or informal?

"Be of degree" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it often appears in scientific or technical writing where precise descriptions are necessary. News and media also employ this phrase.

How does "be of degree" differ from "be of kind"?

"Be of degree" implies a difference in quantity, intensity, or level, while "be of kind" implies a difference in type or category. For example, differences can "be of degree" or differences can "be of kind".