thin crack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thin crack" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a narrow opening or fissure, often in a physical context, but can also be metaphorical. Example: "The old wall had a thin crack that allowed light to seep through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Another, a youngster, has a thin crack across his skull, the imprint of a machete.

The New York Times

An X-ray of his right foot showed a spiral fracture, a thin crack coiled around one of his metatarsals.

The New York Times - Arts

A long, thin crack runs up a craggy gray slab of rock outcrop overlooking the Hudson River in Fort Tryon Park.

The New York Times

One particularly arresting shot shows a huge cave shrouded in darkness, apart from a starkly bright, thin crack of light that faintly illuminates the rocks in its path.

The Guardian - Arts

When you can see a thin crack in the wall, dig it out and make it bigger, so you can fill it properly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Heat can also shrink: a water-bearing synthetic unit like concrete block might be laid when green and when it dries there will be a thin crack between the block and the mortar.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Still, he liked the narrow toe box, good for getting into thin cracks, and the way the laces tighten with a few quick tugs.

The New York Times

Among the roughly two dozen Americans who earn a living climbing rocks, Rodden is well known for her high-up, harrowing ascents of thin cracks that many people cannot imagine fitting their fingers inside.

The New York Times - Sports

Rather than stopping the gas from escaping, the proppant is forced into thin cracks in the newly fractured shale to open the cracks wider so that gas can flow more freely.Robert Paglee Moorestown, New JerseyOn the front-lineSIR – I read your article about new technologies that try to neutralise the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) left by insurgents ("Bombs away", March 6th).

The Economist

The Yankees held their first of five invitation-only workouts for college and high school players from the five boroughs yesterday, searching for one player, but probably not two, who somehow slipped through the thin cracks of baseball's vast scouting system.

The New York Times - Sports

We study the effect of heating rate on the steam pressure inside an isolated long thin "crack-like" cavity of thickness h assuming that the chemical potential of water is continuous across the cavity/polymer interface.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical object, consider using "thin crack" to indicate a minor imperfection or damage, instead of a more severe term like "gash" or "split".

Common error

Avoid using "thin crack" metaphorically when a more precise term like "weakness", "flaw", or "opening" would be more appropriate for abstract ideas or arguments. Stick to describing physical objects to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thin crack" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "thin" modifies the noun "crack". Ludwig AI indicates its usability in written English to describe a narrow opening or fissure. The examples demonstrate its usage in describing physical objects and conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

60%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thin crack" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It typically functions as a noun phrase, describing a narrow fissure or opening in a physical object. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it's most frequently found in scientific and news-related articles. When employing this phrase, it's best to reserve it for describing literal physical defects, and choose more appropriate terms when referring to abstract concepts. Alternatives such as "fine fissure" or "narrow crevice" can provide slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fine fissure

Replaces "crack" with "fissure" emphasizing a narrow opening.

narrow crevice

Substitutes "crack" with "crevice", highlighting a small, deep opening.

slim split

Uses "split" instead of "crack", suggesting a separation or division.

hairline fracture

More specific term referring to a very fine crack, particularly in materials.

minute gap

Emphasizes the small size of the opening using the word "gap".

slender rupture

Replaces both "thin" and "crack" with synonyms conveying a breach or break.

fine line

More abstract, less about physical damage and more about a visual marker.

small cleft

Replaces "crack" with "cleft", suggesting a split or indentation.

tiny fissure

Emphasizes the smallness of the crack using "tiny" and replaces "crack" with "fissure".

superficial crack

Indicates the crack is only on the surface and not deep.

FAQs

How can I use "thin crack" in a sentence?

You can use "thin crack" to describe a narrow fissure in a material, such as "The old vase had a "thin crack" running down its side".

What's the difference between "thin crack" and "hairline fracture"?

"Hairline fracture" typically refers to a very fine crack in a bone or other material, while "thin crack" is a more general term for any narrow crack.

What can I say instead of "thin crack"?

Alternatives include "fine fissure", "narrow crevice", or "slim split", depending on the context.

Is "thin crack" a formal or informal term?

"Thin crack" is a neutral term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject matter. Technical or scientific contexts may benefit from alternatives, depending on the purpose of the text.