granular

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "granular" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is made up of small particles or granules. For example, "This type of fertilizer is very granular, so it can easily be spread on the garden beds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But on iOS 5 (available across those 200m devices, remember) you just swipe downwards from the menu bar and you get a view on everything that's changed, with granular detail including what emails have come in (so you can go to them individually) or what events there are to deal with and so on.

The Guardian - Tech

"The big deal with Coins is that when you get a figure like £6bn-worth of cuts it is useful, but what you really want to know is much more granular – how much is spent on police in your parish, for instance.

The Guardian

It lowers entry (and printing) costs, allows new parties to crunch voter data at local level in a smarter way than the granular approach favoured by overpaid, Obama-ite US consultants whom the big parties hire.

The Guardian

There's an impressive exactitude here, combined with a passion to show us what we are like at a granular level far beyond the ken of our senses.

The Guardian

Coins is that kind of data – the lowest and most granular level that government collects".

The Guardian

Flavours fully retained, smoothly granular texture.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Without the granular data gleaned from a census we risk creating the conditions for a hidden class to go undetected and for us to be inadequately informed about excluded and isolated groups, such as people without bank accounts and those who work cash-in-hand.

The Economist

They can also miss the big picture in their pursuit of ever more granular data.

The Economist

But then why does Apple not offer nor allow others to offer tools to help with self-monitoring, as is the case on the Android mobile platform?Whereas some providers now offer granular data-usage reports, including time and size of transfers, there is no way to pin down how much bandwidth any one application consumes.

The Economist

Mr Gabaix calls for a more "granular" approach to macroeconomics, which would weigh the contribution of big firms to national aggregates.This granular view is already taking hold in studies of international trade.

The Economist

In subsequent years, as researchers have gained access to richer and more granular datasets, each of these claims has either been watered down or outright refuted.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "granular" to describe data or analysis that is broken down into small, manageable parts, allowing for a more in-depth understanding. For example, "The report provides a granular analysis of customer behavior."

Common error

Avoid using "granular" when referring to abstract concepts that do not benefit from being viewed in smaller parts. Saying "granular understanding of love" doesn't quite make sense.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "granular" primarily functions to describe the composition or texture of a substance, indicating that it consists of small grains or particles. It is also used to describe the level of detail in data or analysis, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

38%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "granular" is a versatile adjective used to describe both physical textures and levels of detail. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in News & Media and Encyclopedias, it signifies either a composition of small particles or a high degree of detail in analysis. For example, a "granular" substance is made of grains, while a "granular" analysis is highly detailed. When writing, use "granular" to emphasize precision and avoid using it in abstract contexts where detailed breakdown isn't logical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fine-grained

Describes something broken down into small components or having a detailed texture.

finely detailed

Focuses on the level of detail rather than the composition.

highly detailed

Emphasizes a significant amount of detail.

detailed

A more general term for including many specifics.

minute

Indicates very small or precise details.

precise

Highlights accuracy and exactness in detail.

itemized

Focuses on listing details individually.

thorough

Indicates completeness in covering all details.

comprehensive

Similar to thorough, but often implies a broader scope.

particular

Emphasizes attention to specific details.

FAQs

How can I use "granular" in a sentence?

You can use "granular" to describe something consisting of small particles or something that involves minute details. For example, "The soil had a granular texture" or "The report offered a granular analysis of the market trends".

What does "granular" mean?

The word "granular" generally refers to something consisting of granules or grains or something detailed and comprehensive. The exact definition depends on the context.

What are some synonyms for "granular"?

Some synonyms for "granular" include "fine-grained", "detailed", "minute", and "precise", depending on the intended meaning.

Is it better to use "granular" or "detailed"?

Both "granular" and "detailed" can describe thoroughness, but "granular" often implies breaking something down into smaller, more manageable parts. Choose the word that best fits the context of your writing. You can use alternatives like "fine-grained", "thorough" or "comprehensive" depending on your context.