off the perpendicular

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "off the perpendicular" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to geometry, construction, or any situation where something is not aligned at a right angle. Example: "The picture frame was hanging off the perpendicular, making the room look unbalanced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The least drop off the perpendicular causes either hook or slice, much more so than with the ball used 40 or more years ago.

The New York Times

Because the tire is actually a toroid (a circular tube) rather than a straight cylinder, the ply cords actually lie approximately 11 degrees off the perpendicular.

Britannica

I was slightly confused for a moment …" WICKET!! Kieswetter b S Zadran 0 Out off the last ball of the over, a wicket maiden, dragging on as he tried to take his bat off the perpendicular.

The Guardian - Sport

The runs are beginning to flow now for Charlotte Edwards - Perry overpitches and watches the ball zip back past her toes off the perpendicular blade of the England skipper.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Light entering a material with a negative index of refraction would take a sharp turn, almost as if it had bounced off the imaginary perpendicular line.

The New York Times - Science

Write the equation of the perpendicular bisector.

WikiHow

A quartz flat was used as the calibration target and the perpendicular reflection off the quartz flat located at the focal point of the transducer was used to derive the power spectrum.

BMC Cancer

In the perpendicular direction to the off-cut, the linearly graded layer structures showed a higher twin density and no misfit dislocations (MD) were observed.

Materials Science and Engineering: B

The perpendicular T-junction chip outlet was sealed off to prevent formation of cell clumps at the T-junction.

Cytometry Part A

The convergence vector between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate deviates by approximately 35° to 50° counterclockwise from the perpendicular to the trench off Cape Shionomisaki (arrow in Figure 1; Seno et al. 1993; Miyazaki and Heki 2001).

Earth, Planets and Space

These perpendicular lines -- holding off the protrusion of a horn perhaps?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing spatial relationships, ensure the reference point (the "perpendicular") is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "off the perpendicular" without specifying what the perpendicular is relative to. This can lead to unclear or confusing descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "off the perpendicular" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or adjectives to describe the orientation or position of something. Ludwig's examples show it qualifying the degree of deviation from a right angle.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "off the perpendicular" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe deviations from a right angle. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. While relatively rare, it appears in news articles, scientific literature, and general explanations. It's crucial to clearly define the reference point for "perpendicular" to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "out of alignment" and "at an angle". Though not as frequent, the phrase is accepted and understood when describing something not aligned at a 90-degree angle.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of alignment

Indicates a deviation from a straight or correct position.

at an angle to the perpendicular

Specifies that the deviation is angular relative to the perpendicular line.

askew

A single word indicating something is not straight or level.

not square

Describes a situation where angles are not right angles.

oblique to the perpendicular

Emphasizes the angled relationship with the perpendicular.

deviating from a right angle

Highlights the departure from a 90-degree angle.

tilted from vertical

Describes an inclination away from the vertical axis.

at a slant

Indicates an inclined position.

awry

Signifies a departure from the correct or expected course.

not aligned

A general term for not being in a straight line or correct position.

FAQs

How can I use "off the perpendicular" in a sentence?

You can use "off the perpendicular" to describe something that deviates from a right angle or a vertical line. For example, "The picture was hanging slightly "off the perpendicular", which bothered her."

What does "off the perpendicular" mean?

"Off the perpendicular" means not at a right angle (90 degrees) to a specified line or plane. It implies a deviation or misalignment from what is considered straight or upright.

Which is correct, "off the perpendicular" or "perpendicular to"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have opposite meanings. "Perpendicular to" means at a right angle, while ""off the perpendicular"" means deviating from a right angle.

What are some alternatives to saying "off the perpendicular"?

Alternatives include "out of alignment", "at an angle", or "askew", depending on the specific context you want to convey.