grain of soil

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grain of soil" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the smallest unit or component of soil, often in a scientific or agricultural context. Example: "Each grain of soil plays a crucial role in the ecosystem, providing nutrients and support for plant life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. Arafat, for example, continued to insist at a sparsely attended rally in the Palestinian-controlled town of Ramallah on the West Bank that "there is not one among us who can give up a grain of soil of noble Jerusalem".

The New York Times

The 25 agents on hand must filter every grain of soil in selected areas, setting aside any items that might be potential clues, said Tom Brenneis, an FBI special agent and the search's team leader.

Los Angeles Times

The 25 agents on hand must filter every grain of soil — the equivalent of about five big-rig trailer loads — setting aside any items that might be potential clues,said Tom Brenneis, an FBI special agent and the search's team leader.

Los Angeles Times

The 25 agents on hand must filter every grain of soil — the equivalent of about five big-rig trailer loads — setting aside any items that might be potential clues,said Tom Brenneis, an FBI special agent and the search's team leader.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The water would be present in tiny quantities between the grains of soil, rather than in droplet form.

The Guardian

Regardless, it only takes a few grains of soil to spread Panama tropical race 4 (the), the fungus once branded the "HIV of banana plantations".

The Guardian

Soil treated with lime and exposed to wetting and drying cycles results in loss of cohesion between the grains of soil and lime, which leads to increase in soil volume.

International Journal of Geo-Engineering

The majority live on and between particles of sediment or on other submerged surfaces, but a few species are terrestrial and live on land in the film of water surrounding grains of soil.

Wikipedia

Respiration through the whole surface of the body makes them vulnerable to fluid loss, and restricts them to environments where dehydration is unlikely: sea and freshwater, moist terrestrial environments such as leaf litter or between grains of soil, and as parasites within other animals.

Wikipedia

A few grains of soil were added to a 9 cm petri dish filled with a mixture of sterile tap water and distilled water (1 1).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The grain size of soil particles and the aggregate structures they form affect the ability of a soil to transport and retain water, air, and nutrients.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about environmental or agricultural topics, use "grain of soil" to emphasize the importance of even the smallest components in the ecosystem.

Common error

Avoid using "grain of soil" excessively in general writing. While appropriate in specific contexts, overuse can make your writing sound unnatural or overly technical. Opt for more common terms like "particle of dirt" or "speck of earth" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grain of soil" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It refers to a tiny particle or component of earth.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grain of soil" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to a small particle of earth. Ludwig confirms its usability, although its frequency is relatively rare. Its primary function is to emphasize the importance of even the smallest components within soil, often in scientific or environmental contexts. While it can be used in various settings, it's most appropriate in formal writing or when precision is needed. Related phrases include "soil particle" and "speck of earth", each offering slightly different nuances. Using "grain of soil" effectively involves understanding its specific context and avoiding overuse to maintain a natural writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soil particle

Focuses on the scientific term for a single component of soil.

tiny amount of earth

Emphasizes the small quantity of earth being referred to.

speck of earth

Highlights the minute size of the earth particle.

fragment of soil

Implies a broken or detached piece of soil.

earth particle

A more general term for a component of earth.

minute portion of soil

Stresses the extremely small quantity of soil.

small piece of ground

Refers to a small, physical chunk of ground material.

particle of dirt

Uses a more common term "dirt" instead of "soil".

trace of soil

Suggests a minimal presence or indication of soil.

small measure of earth

Rephrases the soil amount in terms of volume.

FAQs

How can I use "grain of soil" in a sentence?

You can use "grain of soil" to describe a small component of soil, as in: "Each grain of soil contributes to the overall health of the ecosystem."

What's a scientific term for "grain of soil"?

A scientific term for "grain of soil" is "soil particle". This term is often used in soil science and environmental studies.

What can I say instead of "grain of soil" in a less formal context?

In a less formal context, you could use phrases like "speck of earth" or "bit of dirt" instead of "grain of soil".

Is "grain of soil" singular or plural?

"Grain of soil" is singular. The plural form is "grains of soil", which refers to multiple individual particles.