inches

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "inches" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe length or depth, for example: "The new fence posts are 6 inches wide".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once popular for wedding receptions and baptism parties, the hotel's pool now holds only a few inches of stagnant rainwater, and a stream of exhausted international aid workers has replaced the celebrations.

The Guardian

He was afraid that independence would lose, while devo max – just a few inches short of full independence – was clearly favoured in opinion polls.

The Guardian

Other basketball players followed suit and, today, we commonly see basketball shorts four inches [10cm] below the knee (or lower).

The Guardian - Opinion

He got far fewer column inches than most weekend football previews.

The Guardian - Sport

At least 19 people have died since the weekend during torrential downpours in Texas and Oklahoma as parts of the deluged region brace for another dangerous turn, with forecasters warning of the potential for flash flooding from storms that could bring as much as 3 more inches of rain.

The Guardian

They were out of earshot, of course, but the duke turned to the president of the Royal Agricultural Society with his hands held about 10 inches apart.

The Guardian

And home captain Elphick came within inches of extending the lead with a 58th-minute header against the crossbar.

The Guardian - Sport

Plenty of column inches have already been devoted to Django Unchained on this site, so suffice it to say the movie still looks like it will kick ass based on what Quentin Tarantino brought to Comic-Con's venerable Hall H on 14 July.

The Guardian - Film

Neymar was inches away from converting Messi's brilliant chip with a first-time lob but it went just wide.

The Guardian - Sport

Labour may have cruised to victory in the general election but the Tories won the all-important battle for column inches, according to new research.

The Guardian

61 min: Limbersky, perhaps the best player on the pitch, beats three Polish defenders on the left and is brought down inches outside the area, around five yards from the goaline, by Wasilewski.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing dimensions, be precise. Specify "inches" alongside numerical values to avoid ambiguity (e.g., "The screen is 27 inches diagonally").

Common error

Avoid mixing measurement units. If you start describing dimensions in "inches", don't switch to centimeters without clear conversion to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "inches" is as a plural noun, denoting a unit of length in the imperial and United States customary systems of measurement. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "inches" quantifies dimensions and distances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

25%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "inches" is a common and grammatically sound plural noun used to denote a unit of length. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Sports, and Lifestyle. When writing, remember to be consistent with measurement units and precise in your descriptions. Use alternatives like "length in inches" or "distance in inches" for varied expression. Whether specifying dimensions or indicating close proximity, "inches" serves as a versatile and recognizable measurement term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

length in inches

Specifies the measurement as a length using inches.

distance in inches

Highlights the measurement as a distance.

height in inches

Focuses on vertical measurement.

depth in inches

Emphasizes the measurement of depth.

within inches

Indicates a very close proximity or distance.

just inches away

Emphasizes nearness or closeness.

measured in inches

Focuses on the act of measuring using inches.

a few inches

Indicates a small or limited distance.

in close proximity

More formal way of saying "inches away".

very near

A general term for being close, not specifying inches.

FAQs

How do you use "inches" in a sentence?

You can use "inches" to describe length, height, depth, or proximity, for example: "The shelf is 12 inches deep" or "The ball landed just inches from the goal line".

What are some other ways to say "just inches away"?

Alternatives include "within inches", very near, or in close proximity, depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "inches" or centimeters?

The choice depends on your audience and the context. "Inches" are commonly used in the United States, while centimeters are standard in many other countries and scientific contexts.

When should I specify "inches" instead of using another unit of measure?

Use "inches" when precision is needed or when following a standard measurement system that relies on imperial units. In scientific contexts, SI units like centimeters or millimeters may be preferred.