order of size

USAGE SUMMARY

"order of size" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to differentiate degree or scale of size, either large to small, or small to large. For example, "The crops of this season varied in order of size from tiny to substantial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's a row of cacti arranged in order of size.

The Guardian - Arts

Religions are ranked in order of size in 2010.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The guide said the slaves were led outside and lined up in order of size.

The Guardian

Sometimes this simply denotes a cyclothem of an order of size thicker than normal.

Britannica

For a conjunctive query, is processing postings lists in order of size guaranteed to be optimal?

Stanford University

These, listed in order of size, are Lakes Garda, Maggiore, Como, Iseo, and Lugano.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There were hammers hanging in order of size, and a stack of crates containing works by Léon Pourtau, a minor Impressionist.

The New Yorker

Three Sunday night dramas in ascending order of size (scale, ambition, budget etc), which corresponds to a descending order of merit.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Let's talk about these machines, and their literary uses, in order of size, from small to large.

The New York Times

The final pile was somewhat messy, so he decided to restack the folded towels in order of size, smallest folded towel at the top, biggest at the bottom.

The Guardian

Homes seem to have added floors in descending order of size, like layers on a wedding cake.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "order of size", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to ascending (smallest to largest) or descending (largest to smallest) order to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is not specifying whether the "order of size" is ascending or descending. Always clarify to avoid misinterpretation. For example, instead of just saying "arrange the books in order of size", specify "arrange the books in ascending order of size, from smallest to largest".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "order of size" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how something is arranged or sorted. It indicates a specific method of organization based on the physical dimensions or magnitude of the items being considered. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

26%

Encyclopedias

23%

Science

22%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "order of size" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe arrangements based on physical dimensions or magnitude. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase. It appears across various contexts, including News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science. To ensure clarity, specify whether the order is ascending or descending. Alternatives include "size ranking" and "arrangement by size". Common errors involve ambiguity regarding the direction of the ordering. With an expert rating of 4.6, this phrase is a reliable and versatile tool for descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

size ranking

Focuses specifically on ranking items based on their size.

arrangement by size

Highlights the act of arranging items according to their dimensions.

ranked by magnitude

Similar to "size ranking" but uses "magnitude" to emphasize scale.

graded by size

Emphasizes a process of grading or sorting based on size.

scaled sequence

Suggests a sequence where items are scaled according to their size.

dimensional hierarchy

Implies a hierarchical structure based on dimensions.

magnitude-based ordering

Highlights the ordering based on magnitude or scale.

size-based progression

Describes a progression that is determined by size.

serial sizing

Refers to a process of sizing items serially.

gradation by dimension

Focuses on gradation or gradual change based on dimension.

FAQs

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

You can use "order of size" to describe how items are arranged according to their dimensions. For example, "The planets are listed in "order of size", from largest to smallest."

What is a synonym for "order of size"?

Alternatives to "order of size" include "size ranking", "arrangement by size", or "graded by size", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "in order of size" or "by order of size"?

"In "order of size"" is the more common and grammatically correct phrasing. "By order of size" is less frequently used.

What's the difference between "order of size" and "order of magnitude"?

"Order of size" refers to a direct comparison and arrangement based on physical dimensions. "Order of magnitude" refers to an exponential scale or approximate size, often used in scientific contexts.