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I am writing a neural network application. In this application, a neural network can have one or more hidden layers, which can have different sizes (neuron counts).

Which label would be correct: "hidden layer sizes" or "hidden layers sizes" and why? I realize this is a more general grammar related question and I'd love to learn about it.

EDIT: the label is for a text box, where user will enter numbers separated by commas.

PawelP
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3 Answers3

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In your phrase, hidden layer is an attributive noun: it's a noun which behaves as an adjective modifying sizes.

In English, adjectives are not inflected for number; that is, the form of an adjective doesn't change depending on the number of what it's describing. [This differs from French, for example.]

  • One red apple
  • Two red apples

Thus your "adjective" hidden layer should be singular.

Andrew Leach
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I would opt for hidden layer sizes.

I'm guessing the label is for a table or graph and you're labeling a list of different sizes. Since you're showing multiple sizes, so you pluralise "size".

"Hidden layer" is simply a specifier; it specifies the things that have the sizes that you are showing.

@FumbleFingers makes a very good point in the comments: labeling on graphs and charts tend to use the singular for things like table headings or axis titles. In that case, hidden layer size would be a better option.

However, if the label is for the graph/table/figure as a whole, then pluralising "sizes" probably is appropriate. In which case, the preceding holds: pluralise "size" not "later".

Dancrumb
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    I disagree. In the vast majority of cases, labels on graphs, charts, lists, etc. specify things like *height, age, sex, location* in the singular form, even if there are multiple such elements within the thing referenced. – FumbleFingers Oct 22 '14 at 18:27
  • Good point, @FumbleFingers; I've updated my answer. – Dancrumb Oct 22 '14 at 18:33
  • Downvote duly reversed. But I'll leave the original comment, since you've referenced it in the answer text. – FumbleFingers Oct 22 '14 at 18:35
  • The label is for user input (text box), I've also edited the question to mention that. – PawelP Oct 22 '14 at 18:36
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I would use one of

  • hidden layer sizes (preferred usage)
  • sizes of hidden layers
  • hidden layers' sizes (colloquial usage)

I can't quite visualize the question, actually. You wrote that it is to be a label for an input text box. Why would a single input require a plural? I am trying hard to imagine by thinking about the following examples.

Is it like this

Hidden layer ID:   [         ]
Hidden layer size: [         ]

or,

Hidden layers' size comma-list: [7, 20, 11, 19]

Hidden layer sizes comma-list: [7, 20, 11, 19]

Hidden layer sizes: [7] [20] [11] [19]

Average hidden layer size: [14.25]

Max hidden layer size: [20]

Hidden layer size range: [7] [20]

Show hidden layer sizes: []YES []NO

Show size of hidden layers: []YES []NO

?

Blessed Geek
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  • It's like Hidden layer sizes comma-list: [7, 20, 11, 19]'. Appreciate your detailed approach. – PawelP Oct 24 '14 at 07:43