small thickness

USAGE SUMMARY

"small thickness" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to refer to a smaller amount of thickness. For example, "The paper was only 3 millimeters thick, a very small thickness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This could be due to the small thickness (approximately 14 nm) of the film.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Groundwater prospect in shallow pediments is moderate due to the small thickness of sediment.

Applied Water Science

This contribution is considered negligible due to the small thickness of the film.

Heritage Science

Such a small thickness is very difficult to be controlled via thermal deposition.

Nanoscale Research Letters

ZnO nanosheets with a large area and a small thickness were prepared on Al substrates.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The research is devoted to problems of the small thickness about 30-40 mm.

Procedia Engineering

Specific features of the NUCLEON instrument are relatively small thickness and small weight.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Distinct stratification of redox zones was observed, despite the aquifer's small thickness (2.8 m).

Chemosphere

The results have shown that is possible to use selenium resource for the small thickness.

Procedia Engineering

This study focuses on the buckling of cylindrical shells with small thickness variations under external pressure.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

However, the small thickness of the interphase makes it hard to measure precisely its properties directly.

Composite Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical properties in technical writing, use "small thickness" to clearly indicate a dimension that is less than average or expected. Be specific with units (e.g., "small thickness of 5 nm") for clarity.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "small thickness" is typically used in scientific and engineering contexts. In general writing, consider using more descriptive phrases like "thin" or "shallow" unless precision is necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small thickness" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "small" modifies the noun "thickness". It typically serves to describe or specify the extent of an object or material in one dimension, indicating it is less than average or expected. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is valid.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "small thickness" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase, primarily within scientific and technical domains. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. It serves to provide precise descriptions of physical dimensions, emphasizing a dimension that is less than average. While "thin" is a more general term, "small thickness" is preferred in contexts requiring accuracy. Its formal register makes it suitable for academic papers, technical reports, and specifications. In non-technical contexts, alternative phrases like "thin" or "shallow" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shallow depth

Focuses on the depth being not very deep, implying a small thickness in that context.

thin dimension

Emphasizes the dimension of being thin, highlighting the reduced size.

fine layer

Referring to a layer that is very thin, stressing the delicacy of the material.

minimal depth

Focuses on the depth being at a minimum, suitable when referring to depth instead of thickness.

negligible width

Expressing the width is so small it can be ignored.

slight width

Emphasizes the width, implying it is not substantial or significant.

minute dimension

Emphasizes the dimension is extremely small or tiny.

reduced dimension

Highlights the reduction in dimension, indicating a smaller size in one aspect.

limited depth

Highlights the restriction or limitation in depth, similar to a shallow depth.

narrow gauge

Specific to situations where a gauge or measure is narrow, implying a small thickness.

FAQs

How can I describe something that has a "small thickness" without using the exact phrase?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "thin", "shallow", "fine", or "negligible thickness".

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "small thickness"?

The phrase "small thickness" is most commonly used in scientific and engineering contexts when describing materials, layers, or components with a reduced dimension.

Is there a difference between saying "thin" and "small thickness"?

While "thin" is a general term, "small thickness" is more specific and often used in technical descriptions where precision is important. Saying a layer has a "negligible thickness" may imply it's so thin it doesn't affect the outcome.

Can "small thickness" be used to describe anything besides physical objects?

While primarily used for physical objects, "small thickness" could be metaphorically applied to abstract concepts to indicate a lack of substance or depth, though this is less common. For example, the argument had "limited depth".