one side of the scale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one side of the scale" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase to indicate a comparison between two things. For example: "The costs of attending college far outweigh the benefits, with tuition on one side of the scale and internships and job opportunities on the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Still, it's hard to add place all of that mitigation on one side of the scale when, on the other side, we have the overwhelming fact that when Sirois first asked permission to practice law, he was told "No," and despite awaiting a hoped-for reversal of that decision on appeal, nonetheless, he did what he lacked permission to do.

Forbes

We support the idea that valence is best represented by a bipolar dimension, with a negative pole on one side of the scale and a positive pole on the other, and neutral valences around the scale's center.

Behavior Research Methods

On one side of the scale of public opinion weighed Chile's economic prosperity and political stability.

Harvard University

If we think of false and misleading news as a continuum, on one side of the scale you have satirical websites like The Onion.

Forbes

Trump is an elephant jumping up and down on one side of the scale.

Huffington Post

The negative will always outweigh the positive if your viewpoint is already fixed on one side of the scale.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

She seems to lean on one side of the scales at this point, but that hardly matters in a novel so animated with fascinating, troubling ideas.

The Guardian - Books

Rather than reason, Lady Justice Red relies on dice, cupped in one side of the Scales of Justice, which she rolls when judging the unfortunate".

Huffington Post

There is, however, for in vivo studies, some overlap between fat and mammary tissue or fat and lung tissue on one side of the HU scale, and bone or muscle, as well as internal organs such as liver, tumor tissue and blood on the upper side of the HU scale.

Animal

On one side of the Great Scales of Morality was the decision by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to validate Judge Vaughn R. Walker's 2010 ruling that Proposition 8 the California amendment taking away same-sex couples' right to marry, a fly in the ointment of an otherwise transcendent 2008 election was bullshit.

Vice

Table 2 presents the angles (in degrees) and gravitational vectors corresponding to the numbered scale on one side of the table.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one side of the scale" to clearly illustrate a comparison where two opposing forces or aspects are being weighed against each other. This metaphor effectively conveys the idea of balance and relative importance.

Common error

Avoid using "one side of the scale" in contexts where a literal comparison or weighing is not intended. Overusing this metaphor can make your writing sound clichéd or unclear if the connection to balance isn't relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one side of the scale" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used as an adverbial phrase to modify a verb by indicating a comparative relationship. It contributes to the sentence by highlighting one aspect being weighed against another, as evidenced by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one side of the scale" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate one element being weighed or compared against another. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and appropriate for written English to show comparison between two things. It is commonly found in news and media, as well as academic writing, making it suitable for both neutral and slightly formal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that a clear comparison is intended to avoid overuse of the metaphor. Related phrases, such as "one aspect of the balance" or "one perspective on the matter", can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuances you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one aspect of the balance

Replaces "side" with "aspect" and uses "balance" instead of "scale", focusing on a single element within a broader equilibrium.

one facet of the equation

Substitutes "side" with "facet" and "scale" with "equation", emphasizing a component of a calculation or situation.

one perspective on the matter

Shifts the focus to a viewpoint rather than a literal balance, using "perspective" instead of "side" and "matter" instead of "scale".

one consideration in the assessment

Highlights a factor in an evaluation, replacing "side" with "consideration" and "scale" with "assessment".

one element of the comparison

Focuses on a specific part of a comparison, using "element" instead of "side" and "comparison" instead of "scale".

a single component of the evaluation

Emphasizes an individual part within an evaluation process, swapping "side" for "component" and "scale" for "evaluation".

one viewpoint among many

Presents a particular opinion relative to others, replacing "side" with "viewpoint" and removing the balancing metaphor.

a particular angle on the issue

Indicates a specific way of looking at a problem, using "angle" instead of "side" and "issue" instead of "scale".

one part of the overall picture

Stresses the contribution of something to the complete understanding of a scenario, replacing "side" with "part" and "scale" with "picture".

a specific factor to consider

Highlights an individual element worthy of attention, eliminating the balancing metaphor entirely.

FAQs

How can I use "one side of the scale" in a sentence?

You can use "one side of the scale" to show a comparison or contrast between two things, as in "On one side of the scale weighed economic prosperity, while on the other side weighed the social cost."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "one side of the scale"?

Similar phrases include "one aspect of the balance", "one facet of the equation", or "one perspective on the matter", depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "one side of the scale" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the context. In highly formal or scientific writing, a more precise or literal term might be preferable to avoid relying too heavily on metaphor. Alternatives could be to talk about "advantages and disadvantages" or "pros and cons".

How does "one side of the scale" differ from "on the other hand"?

"One side of the scale" implies a weighing of opposing factors, whereas "on the other hand" simply introduces a contrasting point. The former is more suited to situations where relative importance is being considered, and the second is to simply introduce a different point.