plus a tail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plus a tail" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are adding something additional, often in a descriptive or informal manner. Example: "The creature had a body like a lizard, plus a tail that was long and flexible."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A wicker basket lined with a red and white gingham cloth includes steamed Maine lobster (a one-and-a-half pounder, removed from the shell, plus a tail), roasted garlic-and-herb jumbo shrimp, mussels steamed in chardonnay, and smoky barbecued chicken breast.

The New York Times

The adult stands 25 30 cm (10 12 inches) at the shoulder and has a heavily built, thick-skinned body about 60 77 cm (24 30 inches) long, plus a tail length of 20 30 cm.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The mature thylacine ranged from 100-130 cm long, plus a tail of around 50-65 cm.

Wikipedia

The ground speed is the air speed V plus a tail wind or minus a head wind.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

RNA1 and RNA2 consist of 7,893 and 6,492 nucleotides, respectively, plus a poly-(A) tail.

Archives of Virology

The V-105 genome consisted of 6,927 nt plus a poly (A) tail of a still-undetermined length (GenBank accession no. JX120573).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

For each gene, transcript length obtained using Northern blot is consistent with the cDNA length plus a poly(A) tail, assuming the putative promoter (positions 1133 1094 for ORF1L and 944 983 for ORF2S) and potential polyadenylation signal sequence are utilized.

BMC Genomics

The transcripts were poly-A tailed using A-Plus Poly(A) Polymerase Tailing Kit (Cellscript), and purified using RNeasy Micro Kit (Qiagen).

BMC Biotechnology

For in vitro transcription reactions, the Myc6-Bub3 cDNA was subcloned into the modified pRN3p vector (a gift from Dr. Jie Na, Harvard University), which has a globin 3' UTR plus a short poly A tail.

Plosone

The stump-tailed porcupine, Echinoprocta rufescens, is one of the smallest at 37 cm plus a short tail.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Characterization of the binding pocket by a grid-based surface calculation of the docking model suggested that a larger hydrophobic body plus a polar tail would improve interaction between the ligand and the receptor.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical attributes, use "plus a tail" to add specific details about an appendage or extension. This provides a clear and concise way to mention an additional feature.

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying what the "tail" is attached to or related to. Without context, "plus a tail" can be vague. For example, instead of "The creature had scales, plus a tail", say "The creature had scales, plus a long, scaly tail."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plus a tail" functions primarily as an additive element in descriptive sentences. It is used to specify an additional feature, namely a tail, that is part of a larger description. As shown in Ludwig, it often modifies physical measurements or characteristics.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "plus a tail" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe an additional feature, typically in a physical context, with a focus on specifying the presence of a tail. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While found in various sources, including scientific texts, it leans towards a neutral to slightly informal register. Common uses include descriptive details in scientific papers or general descriptions. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what the "tail" relates to and consider alternatives like "along with a tail" for more formal settings. Due to the relatively low example count, it's considered rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a tail added

Emphasizes the addition of a tail as a separate component.

inclusive of a tail

Highlights that the tail is included as part of a larger whole.

together with a tail

Indicates that the tail is accompanying something else.

incorporating a tail

Focuses on the integration of the tail into a design or structure.

accompanied by a tail

Stresses that the tail is present along with something else.

in conjunction with a tail

Suggests the tail is working or existing in combination with something else.

featuring a tail

Highlights the tail as a prominent characteristic.

a tail included

Emphasizes the inclusion of a tail; passive construction.

having a tail as well

Focuses on the existence of a tail in addition to other features.

a tail also present

Indicates the tail's presence alongside other elements.

FAQs

How can I use "plus a tail" in a sentence?

Use "plus a tail" to add extra information about an appendage or posterior extension, often in a descriptive way. For example, "The ratel stands 25–30 cm at the shoulder and has a body about 60–77 cm long, "plus a tail" length of 20–30 cm."

What are some alternatives to "plus a tail"?

Alternatives include phrases like "along with a tail", "in addition to a tail", or "with a tail added". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is "plus a tail" grammatically correct in formal writing?

Yes, "plus a tail" is grammatically correct, but it might be considered less formal than alternatives like "in addition to a tail" or "together with a tail", depending on the context.

What does "plus a tail" mean in biological descriptions?

In biological descriptions, "plus a tail" typically means that the organism or structure being described has a tail-like appendage in addition to its other features or measurements. It's used to specify an extra appendage length, such as in "The thylacine ranged from 100-130 cm long, "plus a tail" of around 50-65 cm."