the very scale of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the very scale of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the extent or magnitude of something, often in discussions about size, impact, or significance. Example: "The very scale of the project surprised everyone involved, as it was much larger than initially anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The very scale of it is atomizing.

The New Yorker

Community arises from the very scale of living, organically, unlike the suburb where contact has to be artificially created.

The New York Times

The very scale of the financial calamity and the historic government response to it have spawned a host of other questions about Goldman's role.

The New York Times

Yet the very scale of the cuts to local government services means housing will have a key role to play on the frontline.

The Guardian

The very scale of this latest fiasco is also likely to make it harder for Mr. Meriwether and other hedge fund managers to pursue such aggressive strategies again.

The New York Times

If size and market share offer any clue, London is hoping the very scale of its operations will maintain its dominance.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Leading up to the project's debut, the papercraft artists faced four months of challenges, beginning with the very scale and scope of the pieces.

Vice

The very small scale of QDs of a few nanometers, and hence less than the Bohr radius of Si, results in increased confined energy levels through quantum confinement.

Nanoscale Research Letters

In spite of the very large scale of this national study, we found no excess risks of cancers of the bladder and brain, hepatobiliary cancer or leukaemia, in populations living within 2 km of landfill sites.

British Journal of Cancer

Differences in perceptions could be explained by variations in social and housing conditions at the very local scale of enumeration districts, with populations of about 500.

Health & Place

We therefore devised a highly sensitive method to survey the differential binding of a large number of clones which can be adapted to the very small scale of tissues biopsies.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the very scale of" to emphasize the unexpectedly large or significant nature of something, often to highlight its impact or consequences. For example, "The very scale of the data breach raised serious concerns about cybersecurity."

Common error

Avoid using "the very scale of" when simply describing size. It is best used when the scale itself is a key point of concern, surprise, or consequence. Don't use it if "the size of" works just as well.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very scale of" functions as a determiner followed by a noun phrase. It modifies a noun to emphasize the extent, size, or magnitude of something, often highlighting its impact or significance. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very scale of" is a phrase used to emphasize the extent or magnitude of something, highlighting its significance or impact. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct. It commonly appears in news and media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, reflecting its versatility across various contexts. To use it effectively, ensure the scale is a key point deserving emphasis, as overuse can dilute its impact. Consider using alternatives like "the sheer size of" or "the magnitude of" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the sheer size of

Replaces "very scale" with "sheer size", focusing on physical dimensions.

the immense size of

Emphasizes the largeness using "immense" instead of "very scale".

the enormity of

Highlights the hugeness or outrageousness of something.

the magnitude of

Focuses on the greatness of something in terms of importance or effect.

the vastness of

Emphasizes the great extent or size, especially spatially.

the scope of

Highlights the breadth or range of something.

the extent of

Focuses on the range or degree to which something reaches.

the intensity of

Emphasizes the strength or degree of something.

the degree of

Focuses on the level or intensity of something.

the importance of

Highlights significance rather than just size.

FAQs

How can I use "the very scale of" in a sentence?

Use "the very scale of" to emphasize that the size or extent of something is surprisingly large or significant. For example, "The very scale of the problem requires international cooperation."

What phrases are similar to "the very scale of"?

Similar phrases include "the sheer size of", "the enormity of", or "the magnitude of". Each highlights a significant degree of size or impact.

Is it better to say "the scale of" or "the very scale of"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the very scale of" adds emphasis, suggesting that the size is surprisingly large or impactful. Using "the very" is optional and stylistic.

Can "the very scale of" be used to describe something small?

While less common, "the very scale of" can be used ironically to highlight the unexpected or surprising nature of something even if it is small. However, it is typically used to describe something large or significant.