pounds per square

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pounds per square" is not complete and therefore not correct in written English.
It is typically used in the context of measuring pressure or stress, often followed by "inch" or "foot" to specify the unit of area. Example: "The material can withstand a pressure of 50 pounds per square inch."

Measurements

Real Estate

Engineering

Tire Pressure

Material Strength

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Eleven pounds per square foot.

The New Yorker

It was about 8.85 pounds per square inch, not 88.5 pounds per square inch.

The New York Times

This house is about 390 pounds per square foot ($630).

The New York Times

"Now we're talking about 20,000 pounds per square inch.

The New York Times - Science

(One atmosphere is equal to 14.69 pounds per square inch).

The New York Times - Science

Red is 3.5 atmospheres, or 51.4 pounds per square inch.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

So there are more pounds-per-square-inch in all these places.

The New York Times

I'd order the concrete to be 5,000 pounds-per-square-inch (PSI) strength.

The Washington Post

When the blowout preventer was eventually tested again, it was tested at a lower pressure — 6,500 pounds per square inch — than the 10,000-pounds-per-square-inch tests used on the device before the delay.

The New York Times

(The test involves increasing the pressure from 250 pounds per square-inch (psi) to 5,000 psi).

Huffington Post

Readings for compression tests usually vary between 175 to 250 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch).

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pounds per square", always specify the unit of area (e.g., inch, foot) for clarity, unless the context makes it obvious. For example: "pounds per square inch" or "pounds per square foot".

Common error

Avoid using "pounds per square" without specifying the unit of area (inch, foot, etc.). This omission can lead to ambiguity and misinterpretation of the measurement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pounds per square" functions as a measurement term, indicating a quantity of weight or force distributed over a given area. It is typically used to express pressure, stress, or load. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is often incomplete without specifying the area unit (e.g., inch or foot).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

16%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

14%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pounds per square" is a versatile measurement term used to describe force or weight distributed over an area. It’s crucial to specify the area unit (inch, foot, etc.) to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig AI highlights that while commonly used, omitting the unit renders the phrase incomplete. Common applications range from measuring tire pressure to assessing structural load-bearing capacity. Its frequency across diverse sources—including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications—underscores its broad applicability. While grammatically acceptable, clarity is paramount, and specifying the area unit is a best practice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pounds per square inch

Specifies the area as square inches, a common unit for pressure or stress.

pounds per square foot

Specifies the area as square feet, often used for load or weight distribution.

force per unit area

Uses more general terms to describe the concept of pressure or stress.

pressure in pounds per square area

Rephrases to emphasize that it is a pressure measurement.

weight per square area

Focuses on the weight distribution aspect.

load per square unit

Emphasizes the concept of a load being distributed over an area.

stress per square measure

Highlights the stress or strain on a material.

force divided by area

Explains the concept as a mathematical relationship.

pressure measurement

A broader term indicating the process of measuring pressure, which can be expressed in "pounds per square" units.

weight distribution

Focuses on how weight is spread across a surface, implying measurement in "pounds per square" units.

FAQs

How do I use "pounds per square" in a sentence?

Use "pounds per square" to describe pressure, stress, or weight distribution over an area. For example, "The pressure in the tire is 32 pounds per square inch."

What's the difference between "pounds per square inch" and "pounds per square foot"?

"Pounds per square inch" measures force over a smaller area, while "pounds per square foot" measures force over a larger area. "Pounds per square inch" is often used for pressure, and "pounds per square foot" for load bearing capacity.

What are some common applications of measuring in "pounds per square"?

Common applications include measuring tire pressure (pounds per square inch), structural load bearing (pounds per square foot), and material strength (pounds per square inch).

Is "pounds per square" a complete unit of measurement?

No, "pounds per square" requires a unit of area to be complete, such as inch or foot. The complete units are "pounds per square inch" (psi) or "pounds per square foot" (psf).