perpendicularly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perpendicularly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the orientation of one line or surface in relation to another, specifically when they meet at a right angle. Example: "The two lines intersect perpendicularly, creating a perfect right angle at their intersection."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Woven fabrics are constructed by interlacing two or more yarns perpendicularly to each other.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The direction of the dipole moment, which may be represented mathematically as a vector, is perpendicularly away from the side of the surface enclosed by the counterclockwise path of positive charge flow.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Arromanches became one of two assembly points for the Mulberry artificial harbours, temporary jetties of prefabricated concrete supports, steel spans, and floating piers that were towed across the channel in sections and aligned perpendicularly to the beach.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was formed by uplifting along two perpendicularly arranged crustal faults—one trending north-south in the west and the other east-west in the south.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During an evening lecture in April 1820, Ørsted discovered that a magnetic needle aligns itself perpendicularly to a current-carrying wire, definite experimental evidence of the relationship between electricity and magnetism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first successful system, invented by British microscopist Francis Smith and French physicist Maurice Françon in 1947, used quartz lenses to produce reference and image-forming beams that were perpendicularly polarized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Plywood is made of thin layers of wood, rotary-cut from logs and glued together with the wood grain running perpendicularly in adjoining layers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To illustrate Pappus's theorem, consider a circular disk of radius a units situated in a plane, and suppose that its centre is located b units from a line L in the same plane, measured perpendicularly, where b > a.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The value of the dielectric constant at room temperature (25° C, or 77° F) is 1.00059 for air, 2.25 for paraffin, 78.2 for water, and about 2,000 for barium titanate (BaTiO3) when the electric field is applied perpendicularly to the principal axis of the crystal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In some situations, more often in polar than in temperate ice, the hexagonal axes are aligned perpendicularly to the plane of foliation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With his elbows locked, arms straight, and shoulders directly over the victim, the rescuer uses his upper body to apply a perpendicularly directed force onto the victim's sternum.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical contexts, ensure that the use of "perpendicularly" is consistent with the established coordinate system or reference frame to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "perpendicularly" loosely to mean "intersecting" or "crossing." Ensure that the lines or surfaces genuinely form a right angle; otherwise, choose a more general term like "intersecting" or "crossing at an angle."

Linguistic Context

The adverb "perpendicularly" modifies a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed, specifically indicating that it occurs at a right angle. As Ludwig AI points out, it adds precision to descriptions involving spatial arrangements and geometric relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

35%

News & Media

32%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perpendicularly" is an adverb used to describe actions occurring at a right angle, typically in spatial or geometric contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various domains. It is most commonly found in Encyclopedias, News & Media, and Science, indicating its role in precise and technical communication. When using "perpendicularly", ensure the context genuinely involves a right angle to maintain accuracy, and consider alternatives like "at right angles" or "orthogonally" for variety or specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at right angles

Replaces the adverb with a prepositional phrase indicating the angle of intersection.

at a perpendicular

Uses a noun form to describe the right-angled relationship.

orthogonally

A more technical synonym emphasizing the mathematical concept of perpendicularity.

at a 90-degree angle

Specifies the angle numerically, making the description more precise.

at a direct angle

Emphasizes the directness of the angle, clarifying the perpendicularity.

vertically

Describes a specific orientation that is perpendicular to a horizontal plane.

horizontally

Describes a specific orientation that is perpendicular to a vertical plane, offering an opposite but related direction.

straight up

Implies a perpendicular direction, particularly in relation to gravity or a baseline.

straight down

Indicates a perpendicular drop from a higher point, opposite to "straight up".

squarely

Implies a right-angled arrangement, though it can also refer to fairness or directness.

FAQs

How is "perpendicularly" used in geometry?

In geometry, "perpendicularly" describes how lines or planes intersect at a right angle (90 degrees). This is a fundamental concept in various geometric proofs and constructions.

What is an alternative to "perpendicularly"?

You can use "at right angles" or "orthogonally" as alternatives to "perpendicularly", especially in mathematical contexts.

How does "perpendicularly" differ from "tangentially"?

"Perpendicularly" describes an intersection at a right angle, while "tangentially" describes a line or plane that touches a curve or surface at only one point without crossing it.

Is it correct to say something is "perpendicularly aligned"?

Yes, "perpendicularly aligned" is correct. It emphasizes the alignment of objects or structures at right angles to each other, which is frequently used in engineering and construction.