there is thin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there is thin" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to describe something that is thin, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "There is thin ice on the lake, so be careful when walking on it."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The tortilla española there is thin and perfect and includes "five-hour marinated onions".

The New York Times - Travel

The central area of the United States formed a mid-continental rise during the Devonian, and the Devonian rock record there is thin and incomplete.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The crust there is thin, the scientists say, so magma can reach the surface fast, again giving it less of a chance to degas.

Science Magazine

Therefore, groundwater occurrence in this area will largely depend on the occurrence of fractures in areas where there is thin overburden thickness.

Applied Water Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The spoils there are thin.

The Economist

On any sand beach there are thin layers of dark sand that can be seen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There is thinning of the overlying left frontal bone (arrow).

Insights into Imaging

Be careful near the belly area, since the skin there is thinner than the skin on the rest of the hide.

WikiHow

There were thin metal spikes attached to the windowsills.

The New Yorker

The sky was pale blue, and there were thin shadows of tree branches on the pavement.

The New Yorker

There are thin red lines here that need to be kept carefully patrolled.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the presence of something thin, specify what "it" refers to for clarity. For instance, instead of "there is thin ice", write "there is thin ice on the lake".

Common error

Avoid using "there is thin" without specifying what is thin. This leads to ambiguity. Always clarify the subject, such as "there is a thin layer of paint" or "there is thin ice" for better understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there is thin" functions as an incomplete predication, typically intending to describe the presence of something characterized by a lack of thickness. Ludwig AI notes it is incorrect English. Completing the phrase with a noun clarifies the intended meaning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there is thin" is grammatically incorrect and requires completion to convey a clear meaning. As Ludwig AI points out, it is not standard written English. Although examples appear across various sources, including news, science, and encyclopedias, it's advisable to use more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "it is thin" or "there is a thin layer" to avoid ambiguity. Given the grammatical issues, it's best to reserve this phrase for informal contexts or revise it for formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is thin

Directly states the thinness of something, avoiding the "there is" construction.

it has a thin layer

Specifies that something possesses a thin layer of material.

a thin layer exists

Emphasizes the existence of a thin layer.

the layer is sparse

Indicates the layer is not only thin, but also not densely distributed.

it's thinly spread

Describes something distributed in a thin manner.

a scarcity is present

Focuses on the lack of thickness or abundance.

the coating is slim

Refers to a thin coating or covering.

it appears tenuous

Describes something as being very thin and weak.

a slight presence is noted

Highlights that the thickness is barely perceptible.

a minimal amount is present

Emphasizes the small quantity or thickness.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "there is thin" to be grammatically correct?

You can replace "there is thin" with phrases like "it is thin", "there is a thin layer", or "it has a thin layer" depending on the context.

What does "there is thin" typically refer to?

"There is thin" usually describes a thin layer or presence of something, but it's grammatically incomplete. It's often followed by what is actually thin, such as "there is thin ice".

Is "there is thin" considered formal or informal?

Due to its grammatical issues, "there is thin" is not suitable for formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "it is thin" or "a thin layer exists".

Which is more appropriate, "there is a thin" or "there is thin"?

"There is a thin" is more appropriate because it includes the article "a", which is necessary before the adjective "thin" when describing a singular noun. A complete sentence would be something like, "there is a thin layer".