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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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scratch-free

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Smooth scratch-free surfaces should provide a baseline for contact resistance studies.

Each specimen is polished to produce a scratch-free surface prior to tests.

"The mobile phone occupies a kind of glossy, scratch-free world," he says.

News & Media

The New York Times

The soft inner lining helps the screen remain scratch-free, while the Velcro-fastening leather flap keeps it secure.

News & Media

Independent

The Klyp case, as it's called, is a pretty standard slip-on case with a rubbery "soft touch" exterior and feltlike, scratch-free liner.

News & Media

The New York Times

He glanced down at the car's scratch-free, shiny blue seats and asked a PATH official rapid-fire questions about the car's age.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Those who overturn a system are rarely given a peaceful period in which to adjust, let alone to consider all the interests of society in rebuilding from scratch, free of the need for vigilance.

News & Media

The Guardian

He works in various forms: the Bill Evans-like, thinking-man's jazz-trio pianist, all open space and harmonic subtlety; the solo pianist, probing and darting and building thematic colonies as he goes; the gestural, start-from-scratch free improviser; the importer of classical technique into jazz standards; the interpreter of songs by Ennio Morricone and Nino Rota.

When Pierre appears in the outfield, it is a reminder of another one of General Manager Ned Colletti's head-scratching free-agent acquisitions.

Mr. Christie, a Republican, campaigned last year as a conservative bent on changing the state's back-scratching, free-spending political culture, and as governor he has not shied away from fights.

News & Media

The New York Times

All the laser damage thresholds of scratches are much lower than scratch free surface, but no obvious dependence of the LIDT on the scratch morphology is found.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical documentation, use this term to define the required finish of a specimen to ensure clarity in methodology

Common error

Do not use ""scratch-free"" when you mean that something was created without using existing materials. That concept is expressed by the adverbial phrase "from scratch". ""scratch-free"" only describes the physical condition of a surface

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

""scratch-free"" is primarily used as a compound adjective to describe the pristine state of a physical surface. According to Ludwig, it frequently modifies nouns such as "surface", "screen" or "image" to denote the absence of physical damage or digital artifacts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term ""scratch-free"" is a highly productive compound adjective used to describe objects in a state of physical perfection. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it is prevalent in scientific research and technical reviews where surface integrity is paramount. While it is almost always hyphenated in professional writing, users should be careful not to confuse its literal meaning with the idiomatic phrase "starting from scratch", which refers to origins rather than physical condition. Overall, it is a versatile and universally understood descriptor for quality and maintenance.

FAQs

How do I use "scratch-free" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a surface that is pristine, such as saying, "The screen protector keeps your phone "unmarred" and ""scratch-free""" or "The goal is to achieve a "flawless finish"".

What can I say instead of "scratch-free"?

Depending on the context, you might use "unmarked", "blemish-free", or "pristine".

Should "scratch-free" always have a hyphen?

Yes, when it is used as a compound adjective before a noun, it should be hyphenated. For example, a "scratch-free surface". While some writers omit the hyphen when it follows a verb, the hyphenated form remains standard in professional writing.

What is the difference between "scratch-free" and "scuff-free"?

While both describe surfaces without damage, ""scratch-free"" specifically refers to the absence of sharp lines or cuts, whereas "scuff-free" refers to the absence of marks caused by rubbing or friction.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: