of the size of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of the size of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate the size of something or to compare the size of one thing to another. For example: "The rabbit was of the size of a small dog."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Estimates of the size of the bill vary.

The Guardian - Business

HarperCollins is about 80% of the size of Penguin globally.

The Guardian

He gave no indication of the size of any increase.

The New York Times

And lastly, think of the size of the average burger.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Our company's a fraction of the size of those".

The New York Times

Twitter is also a fraction of the size of Facebook.

The New York Times

"Twelve people," he says of the size of his study.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I get spotted more when I'm out now just because of the size of the channel.

The Guardian - Tech

Basically I was terrified about having my first child and of the size of that needle.

The New York Times

(It is also nearly a fifth of the size of Genesco).

The New York Times

The police and concert organizers did not provide an estimate of the size of the crowd.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "of the size of" to provide context or make something more relatable. For example, "The tumor was of the size of a golf ball."

Common error

Avoid using "of the size of" when a simpler adjective (large, small, etc.) would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of the size of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, specifying or comparing its dimensions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable in written English, being used to quantify or establish relative scale, as seen in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

17%

Less common in

Reference

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "of the size of" serves to describe or compare the dimensions of something, providing a relatable or quantifiable context. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and widespread usage make it appropriate for various writing styles. While often found in news and media, it also appears in formal business and scientific contexts. When using "of the size of", ensure clarity and relevance in your comparisons. Alternatives like "regarding the dimensions of" or "concerning the magnitude of" can offer variety, but simplicity should be prioritized when a direct adjective suffices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding the dimensions of

Replaces "size" with "dimensions", adding a formal tone.

concerning the magnitude of

Substitutes "size" with "magnitude", emphasizing the scale.

in relation to the scale of

Focuses on the scale rather than direct size.

when considering the extent of

Emphasizes the reach or scope, replacing direct measurement.

assessing the volume of

Specifically refers to the amount of space something occupies.

measuring the proportions of

Highlights the relative dimensions of something.

determining the scope of

Shifts the focus to the area something covers or includes.

estimating the scale of

Focuses on approximation of size.

as for the measurements of

More direct substitution for 'size' with 'measurements'.

talking about the area of

Explicitly refers to the surface area of something.

FAQs

How can I use "of the size of" in a sentence?

Use "of the size of" to describe or compare the dimensions, magnitude, or extent of something. For instance, "The new park is "of the size of" ten city blocks."

What are some alternatives to "of the size of"?

Consider alternatives like "regarding the dimensions of", "concerning the magnitude of", or "in relation to the scale of" depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is there a difference between saying "the size of" and "of the size of"?

While "the size of" directly refers to a measurement, "of the size of" often compares one item's measurement to another. The phrase "of the size of" provides a relative context or comparison, while "the size of" simply states a measurement.

When should I use a simpler adjective instead of "of the size of"?

If you can effectively describe something's dimensions using a simple adjective like "large", "small", or "huge", it's often more concise than using "of the size of". Use "of the size of" when you need to provide a specific comparison or contextualize the dimensions.