extreme ends of the continuum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extreme ends of the continuum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the farthest points on a spectrum or range of possibilities, often in discussions about varying degrees of a concept or phenomenon. Example: "In the debate about climate change, opinions can be found at the extreme ends of the continuum, from complete denial to urgent calls for immediate action."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If the participant chose the face with lower redness in the first trial, the trial would be repeated; if they chose the face with lower redness four consecutive times, the colour threshold would be recorded as 4.8 (the colour difference at the extreme ends of the continuum).

Plosone

According to the norm-referenced MS risk-classification categories, the Danish sample deviated most from the expected frequencies at the extreme ends of the continuum, especially regarding the KTK test.

BMC Pediatrics

Future scale developments can be empirically driven; the distribution of item locations highlight where 'gaps' in the measurement continuum are (fill notable distances in item locations with items, particularly those representing superficial PU impact and extend the measurement range at the extreme ends of the continuum).

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

At the extreme end of the continuum, more students may be arriving on campus with diagnosed psychological problems.

The New York Times

That's the extreme end of the continuum".

Huffington Post

The standard errors were particularly high among the codes at the extreme end of the continuum implying that the estimates for these codes may be less precise.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Pregnant prisoners in our study were at the extreme end of the continuum of social disadvantage (Table  1) and were 12.6 times more likely to be of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin than women in the community.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Here, we investigated whether neural responses to others' pain vary with psychopathic traits within the general population in a similar manner to that found in individuals at the extreme end of the continuum.

Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience

Ohio is at the extreme end of that continuum.

The New York Times

Developing countries particularly those in the middle range of GNP are currently facing a double burden of malnutrition at both extreme end of the same continuum, undernutrition and obesity [ 2].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

With respect to the various correlated dimensions of stress in human populations described earlier, fateful/catastrophic events, such as direct exposure to a disaster or terrorism attack, typically lie on the more extreme end of the severity continuum.

Alcohol research : current reviews

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extreme ends of the continuum", ensure the context clearly defines the continuum itself. This provides a solid foundation for understanding the extremes being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "extreme ends of the continuum" without establishing what the continuum represents. This can lead to confusion and ambiguity in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extreme ends of the continuum" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used to describe points on a spectrum.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extreme ends of the continuum" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the furthest positions on a scale or range. As confirmed by Ludwig, its primary contexts are Science and News & Media, indicating a formal to neutral register. While related phrases like "opposite ends of the spectrum" or "polar opposites" can serve as alternatives, it's crucial to establish the underlying continuum for clarity. Remember to define the continuum before referencing its extremes to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposite ends of the spectrum

This alternative emphasizes the opposition or contrast between the two extremes, rather than their position on a continuous scale.

polar opposites within the spectrum

Highlights the idea that the ends being discussed are conceptual opposites.

farthest reaches of the range

Replaces 'extreme ends' with 'farthest reaches' offering a more descriptive alternative to indicate the boundaries.

outer limits of the scale

Emphasizes the quantifiable nature of the continuum as a 'scale'.

bounding extremes of the distribution

Uses statistical terminology ('distribution') to suggest a data-driven context.

ultimate boundaries of the gradient

Substitutes 'continuum' with 'gradient' and 'extreme ends' with 'ultimate boundaries', focusing on gradual change.

terminal points on the scale

Replaces 'extreme ends' with 'terminal points', suggesting endpoints or conclusions.

extreme limits within a gradient

Using "limits" instead of "ends" suggests a boundary or a constraint on the continuum.

the most distant points on the line

This alternative uses simpler language, replacing 'continuum' with 'line' for clarity.

outermost edges of the domain

Substituting 'continuum' with 'domain' implies a defined scope or area.

FAQs

How can I use "extreme ends of the continuum" in a sentence?

You can use "extreme ends of the continuum" to describe the farthest points on a scale or spectrum. For example, "In political views, people often hold positions at the "extreme ends of the continuum", ranging from far-left to far-right."

What's a good alternative to "extreme ends of the continuum"?

Alternatives include "opposite ends of the spectrum", "polar opposites", or "farthest reaches of the range", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "extreme ends of the spectrum" or "extreme ends of the continuum"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "extreme ends of the continuum" implies a continuous scale, while "extreme ends of the spectrum" can refer to a broader range of possibilities.

What does it mean to be at "the extreme end of a continuum"?

Being at "the extreme end of a continuum" means occupying one of the furthest positions on a scale or range. It suggests a position that is significantly different from the average or midpoint of that continuum.