the size of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the size of which' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the form of a relative clause to modify a noun or pronoun. For example, "She held the balloon, the size of which was impressive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is now an entertainment colossus the size of which the world has never seen.

The New York Times

I ask him to justify his pay packet, the size of which he professes not to know.

The Guardian

Scotland's parliament is financed by a block fund, the size of which depends on expenditure in England.

The Guardian - Opinion

In vivo methods comprise smaller libraries, the size of which depends on their transformation efficiency.

Journal of Chromatography B

Yesterday, like a 110-mile dress rehearsal, the roads were packed with crowds the size of which are usually seen only in Brittany on Bastille Day.

The Guardian - Sport

Could the jet, the size of which is not often seen in these parts, perhaps belong to a Pawlenty, a Portman, or a Rubio?

The New Yorker

It also plans to seek approvals to construct a new safety evaluation building, the size of which has yet to be determined.

The New York Times

It has a ring and a resonance easily heard in a space the size of which Donizetti certainly did not plan on.

The New York Times - Arts

If the charge moves, however, it is subjected to a force, the size of which increases in direct proportion with the velocity of the charge.

Britannica

Coatings were nanostructured with nanograins of tungsten disulfide; the size of which decreased with increasing nitrogen content.

Surface and Coatings Technology

It helped that a large insurance settlement, the size of which the museum declined to specify, has covered most of the project.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the noun being modified is clearly identifiable and the relative clause adds significant context.

Common error

Avoid using "the size of which" in very simple sentences where a more direct and concise phrasing would be clearer. For example, instead of saying 'The box, the size of which was large, contained books,' it's better to say 'The large box contained books.'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the size of which" functions as a relative clause modifier, adding descriptive information about the dimensions or scale of a preceding noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English, serving to provide additional detail.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the size of which" is a grammatically sound phrase employed to enrich sentences by specifying the dimensions or scale of an object or concept. It functions as a relative clause modifier, effectively adding descriptive detail and emphasizing magnitude. As Ludwig AI validated, the phrase is suitable for various writing styles but commonly appears in neutral to formal contexts such as news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedia entries. While alternatives like ""the magnitude of which"" or "whose size" exist, "the size of which" remains a prevalent and reliable choice for descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the magnitude of which

Replaces "size" with "magnitude", emphasizing the scale or importance.

the extent of which

Substitutes "size" with "extent", highlighting the scope or range.

the dimensions of which

Replaces "size" with "dimensions", focusing on specific measurements.

the proportions of which

Substitutes "size" with "proportions", emphasizing relative dimensions.

the scale of which

Replaces "size" with "scale", highlighting the relative measurement.

the volume of which

Focuses specifically on the volumetric measurement instead of general size.

the measure of which

Uses "measure" as a broader term to encompass size.

the amount of which

Highlights the quantity involved rather than just the physical size.

the area of which

Focuses specifically on surface area rather than general size.

whose size

Uses a more direct possessive construction, altering the clause structure.

FAQs

How can I use "the size of which" in a sentence?

Use "the size of which" in a relative clause to add detail about the dimensions of something. For instance, "The park, "the size of which" was impressive, hosted many events."

What phrases are similar to "the size of which"?

Alternatives include "the magnitude of which", "the extent of which", or "the dimensions of which". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it ever better to use a simpler phrase than "the size of which"?

Yes, in simple sentences, direct phrasing is preferable. Instead of "The room, "the size of which" was small, felt cozy", a clearer statement is "The small room felt cozy".

What's the difference between "the size of which" and "whose size"?

"The size of which" is a relative clause construction, while "whose size" is a possessive determiner. "The monument, "the size of which" impressed visitors, stood tall" versus "The monument, whose size impressed visitors, stood tall." They are often interchangeable, but the former can sometimes sound more formal.