on a certain scale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a certain scale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a measurement or comparison that is relative or specific to a particular context or degree. Example: "The impact of climate change can be observed on a certain scale, particularly in coastal regions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"We were already doing it on a certain scale: providing lists of elder attorneys and contacts we knew that have a good reputation".

The New York Times

It's clear he wasn't so crazy about the splashy aspects of publishing on a certain scale, and I can identify with that with the desire to just have the book look like you want it to, on the scale you feel comfortable with.

The New Yorker

It's clear he wasn't so crazy about the splashy aspects of publishing on a certain scale, and I can identify with that — with the desire to just have the book look like you want it to, on the scale you feel comfortable with.

The New Yorker

All of these sentences involve the scalar model where the two elements on a certain scale are compared.

Lingua Sinica

The pure technical efficiency referred to the production efficiency of the inputs, provided the DMU was on a certain scale.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

The center is then taken as a pixel on a certain scale and the surround as the corresponding pixel on a coarser scale.

Cognitive Computation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Further, considering the GHW-based representation of the stochastic processes, a time-varying power spectrum density (PSD) relationship on a certain wavelet scale or frequency band between the excitation and response is derived.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

EFTs are only applicable on a certain energy scale, i.e., they only describe phenomena in a certain range of energy.

SEP

The permeability of porous media can be characterized on a certain modeling scale in numerous mathematical ways (e.g., Rubinstein and Torquato 1989), the most concise still being the description of fluid permeability based on Darcy's law (e.g., Bear 1972; Bar-Meir 2013).

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Whatever might be said to accord faith and Copernicus, religion depends for its myth on a certain sense of scale.

The New Yorker

Since our method is based on Richardson's method for solving systems of linear equations (Bertsekas & Tsitsiklis, 1997), its convergence rate depends on certain scaling parameter and a preconditioning matrix.

Automatica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on a certain scale", ensure the context clearly defines what the scale represents. Providing specific units or reference points enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "on a certain scale" without specifying the scale itself. This can lead to ambiguity. Instead of saying "the project was successful on a certain scale", specify what metrics define success, like "the project was successful on a cost-effectiveness scale, achieving a 20% reduction in expenses".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a certain scale" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the context or extent to which something occurs or is measured. As Ludwig AI pointed out, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on a certain scale" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to provide context and qualify statements by specifying the framework within which they should be understood. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English and can be used to indicate a measurement or comparison that is relative or specific to a particular context or degree. It's most frequently found in scientific and news contexts, serving to contextualize information and avoid absolute claims. Alternatives like "to a specific degree" or "within a defined range" can be used to express similar ideas. When using this phrase, be sure to specify what the "scale" represents to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to a specific degree

Specifies a particular level or intensity, similar to focusing on a defined point on a scale.

on a sliding scale

Highlights that the "scale" is not fixed, but can increase or decrease in different cases or examples.

within a defined range

Emphasizes the boundaries of the scale being considered, highlighting the limits.

within specific parameters

Underscores the importance of defined boundaries or limits.

to some extent

Indicates a partial or limited impact, aligning with a segment of the scale.

on a graduated level

The adjective graduated means that the level increases or decreases slowly, or by certain grades.

proportionately

Highlights the relationship to the scale, suggesting a direct and measurable correspondence.

on an individual basis

Stresses the uniqueness and customizability of the scale depending on the element considered.

relatively speaking

Positions the observation within the context of the scale, implying a comparison.

in a limited capacity

Focuses on the restricted scope of the scale, emphasizing its bounds.

FAQs

What does "on a certain scale" mean?

The phrase "on a certain scale" refers to a measurement, degree, or extent as assessed within a specific framework or system of values. It suggests a relative comparison rather than an absolute value.

How can I use "on a certain scale" in a sentence?

You can use "on a certain scale" to indicate that an effect or impact is observable within a defined range or according to specific criteria. For example, "The impact of the new policy was evident on a regional scale".

What are some alternatives to "on a certain scale"?

Alternatives include "to a specific degree", "within a defined range", or "to some extent", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "on a certain scale" formal or informal language?

"On a certain scale" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.