shallow profile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shallow profile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person or character that lacks depth or complexity, often in a critical context. Example: "The character in the movie was a shallow profile, lacking any real development or emotional depth."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The upper south-facing slope also has a shallow profile, with bedrock at 30 cm.

Nature

Lack of moisture and shallow profile preclude cultivation of these soils.

Britannica

Moreover, the optimal number of TSLs and the optimal depth of the shallow profile varied with soil moisture conditions.

Geoderma

Leptosols are soils with a very shallow profile depth (indicating little influence of soil-forming processes), and they often contain large amounts of gravel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The intrinsic mechanisms of ICDs contains both equalizing pressure drop around the wellbore and changing the direction of lateral flow to increase the sweep volume of bottom water, but ICDs is essentially a shallow profile control technique.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

The same method was repeated on the other two hillslopes in the semiarid and semi-humid regions with the MAP of 505 and 580 mm, respectively, for further assessing the effect of soil moisture conditions on the optimal number of TSLs and the optimal depth of the shallow profile.

Geoderma

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Desert soils are commonly poorly developed with shallow profiles and low organic content.

Developments in Earth Surface Processes

The problem with this book is that Mr. Kasson -- who teaches history and American studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill -- does not fully flesh out this argument in the remaining pages of his book but instead settles for giving the reader lively but shallow profiles of his three representative men.

The New York Times - Books

Positive scores on RWs 1 and 2 were associated with more shallow profiles and longer jaws, whereas negative scores were associated with steeper profiles and shorter jaws.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

The oral jaws also showed a subtle but consistent lengthening along this axis such that animals with steeper profiles had shorter jaws, whereas those with more shallow profiles had relatively longer jaws.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Thus, there should be more opportunity for females to encounter prey in the water column; a longer, shallower profile would facilitate this mode of feeding.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing soil, use "shallow profile" to indicate that the soil depth is limited, often due to bedrock or other constraints.

Common error

Avoid using "shallow profile" interchangeably with terms like "superficial" when describing abstract concepts; ensure the context aligns with a physical or measurable dimension, such as depth or extent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shallow profile" functions primarily as a descriptive term, often acting as an adjective-noun combination. As shown by Ludwig, it modifies a noun to indicate a lack of depth, complexity, or thoroughness. It describes physical attributes like soil or abstract concepts like understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

17%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shallow profile" is grammatically correct and primarily functions as a descriptive adjective-noun combination, as affirmed by Ludwig. Its usage is uncommon but consistent across several domains, particularly science, encyclopedias and news. It's important to maintain context-specific accuracy and avoid generalizing the meaning beyond measurable dimensions like depth or extent. While the phrase can refer to a person’s character, consider alternatives depending on the situation. Keep in mind its technical applications (as it pertains to soil science) and avoid making low-level generalizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

superficial outline

Replaces "shallow" with "superficial" and "profile" with "outline", focusing on the lack of depth in a summary.

one-dimensional sketch

Uses "one-dimensional" instead of "shallow" to emphasize the lack of complexity, and "sketch" instead of profile.

cursory examination

Replaces "shallow" with "cursory" and "profile" with "examination", highlighting a brief and incomplete review.

slight description

Uses "slight" to indicate a lack of thoroughness in the description.

brief overview

Focuses on the shortness and lack of detail in the overview.

limited perspective

Indicates a restricted or narrow viewpoint, akin to a shallow understanding.

basic summary

Highlights the fundamental and undeveloped nature of the summary.

incomplete analysis

Suggests that the analysis is not fully developed or thorough.

rudimentary depiction

Emphasizes the basic and underdeveloped nature of the depiction.

surface-level understanding

Highlights a lack of deep insight or knowledge.

FAQs

How can "shallow profile" be used in a sentence?

You can use "shallow profile" to describe soil, data analysis, or even a person's superficial understanding. For example: "The soil has a "shallow profile" due to the underlying bedrock" or "The analysis provided only a "shallow profile" of the issue".

What does "shallow profile" mean in the context of soil science?

In soil science, a "shallow profile" refers to a soil layer that is not very deep, often because it rests on bedrock or some other impenetrable layer. This can impact what plants can grow there.

Are there alternatives to using "shallow profile" in data analysis?

Yes, depending on the specific context, you might use alternatives such as "cursory analysis", "basic overview", or "surface-level understanding".

Is it appropriate to use "shallow profile" to describe a person's character?

While you can use "shallow profile" metaphorically to describe a person's lack of depth, it's important to consider that it may come across as critical. Alternatives like "superficial character" or "one-dimensional character" might be more appropriate depending on the situation.