it is thinner than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it is thinner than' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare something to another thing and talk about its thinness. For example: "This piece of paper is thinner than the other one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It is thinner than an Apple iPhone 4S and the screen alone only 120g heavier than the original iPad.

The Guardian - Tech

It is thinner than a CD case and is made of a flexible sheet of stainless steel foil that won't shatter if you drop it.

The Guardian

While the Surface Pro 2 is thick for a tablet at 1.35cm deep, it is thinner than a most laptops, including the 11in MacBook Air (1.7cm).

The Guardian - Tech

At 15.5m (0.61in) thick, it is thinner than Hewlett-Packard's Envy Spectre 14 which pioneered the idea of a glass-clad laptop in 2012.

BBC

At the moment nucleation is completed, the ion-depleted layers (the solution layer near the surface where there are no ions; it is thinner than the diffusion layer) surrounding each nucleus are well separated from each other (Figure 3a).

Nanoscale Research Letters

It ranges in color from orange to red, it is thinner than the typical red barbecue sauce, and it usually tastes closer to Chinese sweet and sour sauce.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It's thinner than its predecessor at 8.18mm thick and weighing only 182g.

Forbes

It's thinner than its predecessor and lighter (168g), despite offering a larger screen at 5.7-inches.

TechCrunch

It was thinner than its male equivalent and had little pouches on the inside for a lipstick tube and a hair brush.

Huffington Post

While the meeting in Iqaluit was taking place, the National Snow and Ice Data Center, in Boulder, Colorado, announced that the maximum extent of the Arctic Ocean's sea ice had dropped to its lowest level ever, and that it was thinner than normal.

The New Yorker

It's thinner than Mr. Schiller's finger — 0.71 inch.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the thinness of objects, ensure the units of measurement are consistent to avoid misinterpretations. For example, compare millimeters to millimeters, not millimeters to inches.

Common error

Avoid using "thinner" metaphorically when a more appropriate term exists. For instance, don't say "his argument is thinner than paper" when you mean "his argument is weaker than expected".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is thinner than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It serves to directly compare the thickness of two subjects, indicating that one possesses less thickness than the other. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, reinforcing its suitability in standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is thinner than" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative phrase to describe the relative thinness of two subjects. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase serves to provide a descriptive comparison, often highlighting a specific characteristic. While versatile, it's important to ensure correct unit measurements and avoid using "thinner" inappropriately in abstract contexts, as Ludwig AI explains. For alternatives, consider phrases like "it is less thick than" or "it is more slender than" to introduce slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's less thick than

Uses "less thick" to convey the same comparison of thinness.

it is more slender than

Replaces "thinner" with "more slender", focusing on slenderness.

it has a smaller profile than

Shifts the comparison to the overall size profile rather than just thickness.

it is more lightweight than

Changes focus to weight instead of thickness, implying thinness contributes to lightness.

it is of a finer gauge than

Uses "finer gauge" to denote a smaller thickness, often used in material science contexts.

it measures less in thickness than

More formal and precise, specifying the measurement aspect.

its cross-section is smaller than

Focuses on the size of the cross-sectional area, implying less bulk.

it's not as bulky as

Employs the opposite approach, describing a lack of bulk rather than thinness directly.

it's more streamlined than

Highlights the streamlined nature of the object due to its reduced thickness.

its dimensions are smaller than

Generalizes the comparison to overall dimensions, not just thickness.

FAQs

How can I use "it is thinner than" in a sentence?

Use "it is thinner than" to compare the thickness of one object to another, for example, "This new model "it is thinner than" its predecessor, making it easier to handle".

What are some alternatives to saying "it is thinner than"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it is less thick than", "it is more slender than", or "it has a smaller profile than", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it is thinner than"?

Yes, the phrase ""it is thinner than"" is grammatically sound and commonly used for comparing the relative thinness of two objects or materials.

What's the difference between "it is thinner than" and "it is less thick than"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, ""it is thinner than"" is more direct and commonly used. "it is less thick than" is slightly more formal but essentially equivalent in meaning.