sheer size

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'sheer size' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to emphasize the size of something. Example: The sheer size of the building made me feel small and insignificant.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And its sheer size is daunting.

The Economist

Sheer size made Woodstock consequential.

The New York Times - Arts

And there is the deal's sheer size.

The New York Times

The sheer size took me by surprise.

The Guardian

The performance underlined the sheer size of Carlyle.

The Guardian - Business

Arguably, the sheer size of ICI worked to its disadvantage.

The Guardian - Business

Now his sheer size is breathtaking, almost frightening.

The Guardian - Sport

The sheer size of America is thrilling and terrifying.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The sheer size of the American battlefield astounds him.

The New York Times - Books

Sheer size makes it nearly impossible to avoid.

The New York Times - Sports

Well, the sheer size of some projects provides an indication.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer size" to emphasize not just the dimension, but also the impact or consequence of that size. For instance, "The sheer size of the project made it difficult to manage" highlights the difficulty because of the project's size.

Common error

Avoid using "sheer size" when a neutral description of size is sufficient. "Sheer" adds emphasis; if the size isn't particularly remarkable or impactful, a simpler term like "size" or "large size" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer size" functions as a compound noun phrase, where "sheer" acts as an adjective intensifying the noun "size". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It commonly describes the remarkable or impactful dimensions of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer size" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to emphasize the magnitude or extent of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in various contexts. It is most often found in news and media, where it adds emphasis to descriptions. While alternatives like "immense size" or "massive size" exist, "sheer size" specifically highlights the impact or consequence of the dimension. Avoid using it when a simple description of size is adequate. The phrase functions as a compound noun phrase, lending itself to both objective reporting and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immense size

Replaces "sheer" with "immense", conveying a similar sense of great magnitude.

massive size

Substitutes "sheer" with "massive", indicating a large and imposing scale.

enormous size

Uses "enormous" in place of "sheer", suggesting a very large size.

substantial size

Replaces "sheer" with "substantial", indicating considerable magnitude.

considerable size

Uses "considerable" instead of "sheer", suggesting a notable size.

impressive size

Replaces "sheer" with "impressive", highlighting the notable quality of the size.

outright size

Uses "outright" instead of "sheer", putting emphasis on the direct or obvious size.

sheer magnitude

Replaces "size" with "magnitude", emphasizing the great importance or extent.

sheer extent

Substitutes "size" with "extent", focusing on the range or scope.

sheer breadth

Replaces "size" with "breadth", indicating wide scope or range.

FAQs

How can I use "sheer size" in a sentence?

Use "sheer size" to emphasize the magnitude of something and its impact, such as, "The "sheer size" of the data set made analysis challenging".

What are some alternatives to using "sheer size"?

You can use alternatives such as "immense size", "massive size", or "enormous size" depending on the context.

Is "sheer size" redundant; can't I just say "size"?

While "size" is sufficient in many cases, ""sheer size"" emphasizes the impressiveness or overwhelming nature of the dimension, adding an emotional or consequential element.

What's the difference between "sheer size" and "large size"?

"Large size" simply describes something as big. "Sheer size" highlights that the size is remarkable or creates a significant effect or consequence.