by several degrees

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by several degrees" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a difference or change in measurement, often in contexts like temperature, angles, or levels of intensity. Example: "The temperature dropped by several degrees overnight, leading to a chilly morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's also richer by several degrees.

The New York Times - Food

Lucy puts every man in the film in the shade by several degrees.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Giardino said that interior temperatures generally fluctuate by several degrees during those cycles.

The New York Times - Tech

That was a strange decision, because Stone Street was more prominent by several degrees.

The New York Times

(It was first noticed when the sea temperature off Peru rose by several degrees overnight).

The Economist

And around 35,000 people had accessed the website, which exceeds my expectations by several degrees I think.

The Guardian

IN THE past week Ariel Sharon, Israel's leader, has turned up the heat of the Palestinian intifada by several degrees.

The Economist

Since such cells are restricted by their size, improvement in fuel utilization would increase the cell efficiency by several degrees.

Journal of Power Sources

According to Luria's experiments, Shereshevsky could alter the skin temperature of his hands by several degrees by visualizing himself touching a hot stove or a block of ice.

The New Yorker

If carbon emissions continue to rise at the current rate, they expect temperatures on the peninsula to rise by several degrees by 2100.

The Guardian

But when the researchers added fire to their model, the likelihood that tuberculosis would emerge jumped by several degrees of magnitude.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing temperature changes, use "by several degrees" to provide a general sense of the magnitude of the shift without being overly precise. This is useful when exact figures are unknown or unimportant.

Common error

Avoid using "by several degrees" in scientific papers or technical reports when precise data is available. Provide the exact temperature or measurement for accuracy and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by several degrees" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb to indicate the extent or magnitude of a change. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing temperature variations, shifts in angles, and changes in levels of intensity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by several degrees" is a versatile expression used to indicate a change or difference in a measurable quantity, most commonly temperature. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, its use may be less appropriate in situations requiring precise measurements. When deciding whether to use the expression, consider your audience and the level of formality required. Finally, consider alternatives such as "by a few degrees" or "by a significant margin" to best convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by a number of notches

Replaces "degrees" with "notches", implying a step-wise increase or decrease.

by a noticeable amount

Focuses on the perceptibility of the difference, highlighting its visibility or audibility.

by a considerable amount

Emphasizes the quantity of change.

by a few steps

Uses "steps" instead of "degrees", suggesting a gradual change or progression.

by a significant margin

Highlights the notable difference, framing it as a clear gap or lead.

by multiple levels

Emphasizes hierarchical or categorical distinctions.

to a considerably greater extent

Emphasizes the magnitude of the difference, focusing on the extent of the change.

significantly

A one-word alternative that also points out the importance and noticeability of a change.

by various increments

Indicates the change happened in different steps.

substantially

Single-word adverb indicating a significant degree of change.

FAQs

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

You can use "by several degrees" to indicate a noticeable change in temperature, angle, or level. For example: "The temperature dropped "by several degrees" overnight."

What phrases are similar to "by several degrees"?

Similar phrases include "by a few degrees", "by a significant margin", or "by a considerable amount", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "by several degrees Celsius" or "by several degrees Fahrenheit"?

The choice depends on the context and audience. Use Celsius when communicating with an international audience or in scientific contexts. Use Fahrenheit when communicating with an audience primarily familiar with that scale.

Can "by several degrees" be used to describe non-temperature changes?

Yes, although less common, "by several degrees" can describe changes in other measurable quantities. For instance, "The angle of the beam was adjusted "by several degrees"."