microscopic in size

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "microscopic in size" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely small, often at a scale that is not visible to the naked eye. Example: "The bacteria in the sample were microscopic in size, making them difficult to observe without a microscope."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Individually, hyphae are microscopic in size.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Microscopic in size, but stunningly beautiful.

The Guardian

The individual circuit components are generally microscopic in size.

Britannica

Today the density of screens has increased so that text, images and icons look pin-sharp, not microscopic in size.

The Guardian - Tech

Most turbellarians are less than five millimetres (0.2 inch) long, and many are microscopic in size.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Individual tubercles are microscopic in size, but most of the visible manifestations of tuberculosis, from barely visible nodules to large tuberculous masses, are conglomerations of tubercles.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

A sand filter, she said, will trap particles down to a microscopic 20 microns in size.

The New York Times

Although zooids are microscopic, colonies range in size from 1 cm to over 1 m.

Wikipedia

The implementation of several chromatographic separation units in microscopic size makes possible faster and high throughput separations.

Journal of Chromatography A

The number of immunostained cells was counted in a microscopic grid, 0.5 × 0.5 mm in size (0.25 mm), using a microscopic field of × 200.

British Journal of Cancer

The common pattern of tumor involvement in the diaphragmatic and other upper regions of the abdominal peritoneum was carcinomatosis (339/353; 96%%); consequently, resection of all tumor nodes to a microscopic residual size in these patients was usually impossible.

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing scientific observations, use "microscopic in size" to clearly indicate the necessity of using a microscope or other magnification tools for observation.

Common error

Avoid using "small" in conjunction with "microscopic in size" (e.g., "small and microscopic in size"). The term "microscopic" already implies extreme smallness, making "small" redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "microscopic in size" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun's dimensions are so small that it requires magnification to be seen. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "microscopic in size" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to describe something extremely small, requiring magnification for observation. Ludwig confirms that it is usable in written English. Predominantly found in scientific, encyclopedic, and news contexts, this phrase serves to precisely convey the dimensions of an object or organism. When writing, be mindful of potential redundancy with terms like "small". Alternatives like "extremely small" or "on a microscopic scale" can offer variety while maintaining clarity. The phrase is used across a range of authoritative sources, indicating its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of microscopic dimensions

Focuses on dimensions rather than general size.

on a microscopic scale

Shifts the focus to the scale of observation, rather than inherent size.

minuscule

A single word synonym emphasizing smallness.

minute

Highlights the fineness and reduced scale of the subject.

extremely small

Emphasizes the degree of smallness more directly.

infinitesimal

Indicates a quantity so small it's practically zero.

unseeable without magnification

Specifies the need for magnification to be observed.

imperceptible

Highlights the lack of visibility to the naked eye.

too small to be seen unaided

Similar to 'unseeable without magnification' but states the inability to see it unaided.

tiny

A common and simple way to indicate small size.

FAQs

How to use "microscopic in size" in a sentence?

You can use "microscopic in size" to describe objects, organisms, or structures that are too small to be seen without a microscope. For example: "The bacteria were microscopic in size." or "The integrated circuit components are microscopic in size."

What is an alternative to "microscopic in size"?

Alternatives include "extremely small", "minuscule", or "on a microscopic scale" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "very microscopic in size"?

While understandable, "very microscopic in size" can be redundant. "Microscopic" already implies extreme smallness. It's generally better to simply use "microscopic in size" or choose a stronger synonym for "small" if needed, such as "minuscule" or "infinitesimal".

What does "microscopic in size" imply about observation?

Using the phrase "microscopic in size" implies that the object or entity being described cannot be observed with the naked eye and requires the use of a microscope or other magnifying instrument for proper viewing.