minute fissures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minute fissures" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe very small cracks or openings in a surface or material. Example: "The ancient pottery was found to have minute fissures that indicated its age and fragility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a small, vigorous buddleia that has somehow managed to root itself, grow and flourish in a minute fissure.

The Guardian - Books

Yet after five minutes, a drastic fissure opens up in the stage and, out of a sudden darkness, three more couples - dressed in an approximation of 18th-century costume - are sucked reluctantly and strangely into the dance: ghosts from Vivaldi's era.

The Guardian

Just as we're getting all excited about Obama and the possibility of change, Neil LaBute's Lakeview Terrace warns us to hang on a minute: those deep-lying social fissures aren't just going to disappear.

Independent

Part of what makes "Roots & Crowns" so enthralling is a feeling of disciplined restraint: only 2 of the album's 13 tracks exceed five minutes in length, so their fissures and warbles tend to feel tantalizing.

The New York Times - Arts

They were constantly replenished by a 1000 gallons-per-minute inflow from numerous natural fissures in the chalk.

Wikipedia

Small air bubbles get trapped in most ice, leading to cubes with a haze of minute bubbles and streaks inside (and those tiny fissures can lead to cracking and splitting, which increases the melt-rate).

The Washington Post

Just minutes prior to the fissure opening, the camera captured the uplift of a portion of the west flank (a-b, about 3 m vertical movement in this image; 10 m uplift was observed elsewhere, out of this view, with other webcams).

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Dr. Livingston has a preposterous ability to unlock everyone's darkest secret within minutes, and as the Bernsteins retire back home to process their new paradigm, issues are aired and fissures repaired.

The New York Times

Sectarian fissures still gape.

The Economist

Class fissures were prevalent.

The Guardian

Fissures erupted on occasion.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical or scientific writing, "minute fissures" is appropriate for describing microscopic cracks or flaws.

Common error

Avoid using "minute fissures" in contexts where simpler terms like "tiny cracks" or "small openings" would suffice. Overusing technical terms can make your writing sound pretentious or unclear to a general audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minute fissures" functions as a descriptive term, combining an adjective ("minute") with a noun ("fissures") to specify the size of cracks or openings. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "minute fissures" is a grammatically sound and technically descriptive term used to denote very small cracks or openings. While considered correct by Ludwig, it's best suited for formal, scientific, or technical contexts where precision is valued. Simpler alternatives like "tiny cracks" may be more appropriate for general use. Its frequency is relatively rare, but it appears across diverse sources like news media and scientific publications. Remember to consider your audience and the level of formality required when choosing between "minute fissures" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tiny cracks

Replaces "minute" with a more common synonym, emphasizing the small size of the fissures.

narrow fissures

Replaces "minute" with "narrow", emphasizing the small width of the fissures.

small fractures

Substitutes "fissures" with "fractures", highlighting the breaking or cracking aspect.

slight fractures

Uses "slight" to indicate the mildness or insignificance of the fractures.

microscopic crevices

Emphasizes the extremely small size, requiring magnification to see the openings.

tiny splits

Combines "tiny" and "splits" for a simple and direct alternative, emphasizing both size and separation.

fine splits

Uses "splits" instead of "fissures", suggesting a separation or division.

hairline cracks

Specifies the thinness of the cracks, resembling the width of a hair.

minuscule openings

Focuses on the openings themselves, describing them as extremely small.

small rifts

Replaces "fissures" with "rifts", suggesting a break or separation, often metaphorical.

FAQs

How can I use "minute fissures" in a sentence?

You can use "minute fissures" to describe very small cracks in a surface. For example, "The geologist examined the rock for minute fissures." or "The aging painting showed minute fissures in the varnish."

What can I say instead of "minute fissures"?

You can use alternatives like "tiny cracks", "small fractures", or "hairline cracks depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "minute" to describe the size of fissures?

Yes, "minute" can be used to describe something extremely small. Using "minute" with "fissures" emphasizes that the cracks are very tiny and often difficult to see without close inspection.

In what contexts is "minute fissures" most appropriately used?

"Minute fissures" is most appropriately used in scientific, technical, or formal contexts where precision is important. Simpler terms might be preferred in more casual writing.