evolutionary scale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "evolutionary scale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a hierarchy or continuum of evolutionary development among species or organisms. Example: "When considering the diversity of life on Earth, it is important to understand where each species falls on the evolutionary scale."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These are the next up on the evolutionary scale".

The New York Times

Over the years dentists have told me I'm a step ahead on the evolutionary scale.

The New York Times

Further up the evolutionary scale, we find Brian Dennehy, as Rick's father.

The New Yorker

Further down the evolutionary scale, the right-wing blogs bloomed like a staph infection.

The New Yorker

At the other end of the evolutionary scale, astronomers have examined thousands of stars for radio signals from extraterrestrials.

The New York Times - Science

As if progressing up the evolutionary scale, he and his partners have shifted from amoebas to worms.

The New York Times

Since Mrs. Kennedy outranked her husband on that evolutionary scale, her contribution to the Democratic victory should not be minimized.

The New York Times - Arts

Even some hidebound Republicans in Congress find the Bush White House too far down on the evolutionary scale.

The New York Times

In this sequence, the costumes were designed to follow the evolutionary scale: from plants to birds, lizards then people.

The Guardian

Gould offers a wonderfully humane vision of our place in the geological and evolutionary scale of things.

The Guardian - Books

Two basic concepts run through Bellah's classification, providing the instruments for the division of religions along the evolutionary scale.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term "evolutionary scale", ensure you're accurately representing the concept of evolutionary relationships and avoid implying a strict linear progression, as evolution is a complex, branching process.

Common error

Avoid using "evolutionary scale" to suggest that evolution is a ladder where one species is definitively 'higher' or 'more advanced' than another. Instead, emphasize that species are adapted to their specific environments, each with its own evolutionary history.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evolutionary scale" primarily functions as a noun phrase used to describe a conceptual framework for organizing and understanding the relationships between different organisms or traits based on their evolutionary history. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "evolutionary scale" serves as a crucial term to classify the position of species, traits or any kind of element inside of evolutionary processes and it is considered grammatically sound and correct by Ludwig AI. It is primarily used within scientific, journalistic and academic contexts to describe hierarchical relationships within evolution. While widely employed, remember to focus on the complex relationships between species and avoid depicting evolution as a linear scale. Related phrases include "evolutionary ladder", "hierarchy of evolution" and "evolutionary continuum".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evolutionary ladder

Replaces "scale" with "ladder", implying a more linear and hierarchical progression.

evolutionary continuum

Substitutes "scale" with "continuum", emphasizing the gradual and unbroken nature of evolutionary change.

hierarchy of evolution

Rephrases to focus on the hierarchical arrangement established by evolutionary processes.

spectrum of evolution

Uses "spectrum" instead of "scale", highlighting the range and diversity within evolutionary development.

evolutionary progression

Focuses on the process of evolution and its advancement, instead of the measurement 'scale'.

stages of evolution

Highlights specific steps or levels within the evolutionary development.

evolutionary ranking

Emphasizes the relative position or order of organisms based on their evolutionary characteristics.

sequence of evolution

Focuses on the order in which species or traits appeared over evolutionary time.

developmental gradient in evolution

Highlights gradual change over time based on evolutionary development.

lineage of evolution

Focuses on the ancestral relationships and pathways in evolutionary history.

FAQs

How can I use "evolutionary scale" in a sentence?

You can use "evolutionary scale" to discuss the relative positions of different species or traits based on their evolutionary history, as in, "Scientists often refer to the "evolutionary scale" when classifying organisms based on their shared ancestry".

What does "evolutionary scale" mean in biology?

In biology, "evolutionary scale" refers to a conceptual framework for understanding the relationships between different organisms based on their evolutionary history and the relative timing of their emergence.

What are some alternatives to "evolutionary scale"?

Alternatives include "evolutionary ladder", "evolutionary continuum", or "hierarchy of evolution", each offering a slightly different nuance in describing evolutionary relationships. See more at "evolutionary ladder".

Is it accurate to say humans are at the top of the "evolutionary scale"?

It's misleading to place humans at the 'top' of the "evolutionary scale". Evolution is not a linear progression towards a 'highest' form but rather a branching tree where each species is adapted to its environment. Therefore, each species occupies a unique position. It is more accurate to describe humans in term of "evolutionary ranking".