Questions about units of measure
Constructing, expressing and rules about choosing an appropriate unit of measure.
Questions tagged [measuring-units]
150 questions
16
votes
2 answers
"Rounded", "heaping" and other types of teaspoon(fuls)?
Can you please elaborate what's "rounded" teaspoon, what's "heaped" teaspoon and what other "types" of teaspoons exists as a measures of volume?
And is there any difference between, rounded teaspoon and rounded teaspoon*ful*?
Vladislav Rastrusny
- 1,005
5
votes
5 answers
How do you distinguish between the two possible distances meant by "five blocks"?
In American towns and cities, blocks are not usually perfectly
square. If I am correct, the south–north side of a block is
several times longer than its west–east side is.
So five blocks can mean a short distance to walk or it can mean…
Tim
- 9,993
5
votes
3 answers
Term for measuring in fractions of 1
When you measure in fractions of 100, you call it a percentage. When you measure in fractions of 1000, you call it promille or per mil. There are even words for fractions of 10000 or 100000.
But what do you call it when you measure in fractions of…
wen
- 233
4
votes
1 answer
Short forms for pounds and ounces?
I have been using ' for pounds and " for ounces for quite a while now,but it was pointed out to me today that my pet cat weighs 6 feet 9 inches.(l wrote 6'9" to a vet). Are these acceptable abbreviations/short forms?
And are those the descriptive…
Allie Canuck
- 41
2
votes
0 answers
What's the unit for a blueberry?
What is the unit for a blueberry?
how do you count each blueberries?
ex) 3 pieces of cake
2 slices of pizza
5 ?? of blueberry
Edit: Do the following sentences sound natural?
Blueberries are so expensive in Korea. They cost almost 1$…
Yeonho
- 151
2
votes
1 answer
When comparing two physical quantities, should units be specified only after the second?
I am writing an academic report. I am comparing to values in the text of the report: 1.011 Hz and 0.990 Hz.
Is it correct to write:
"1.011 compared to 0.990 Hz"
or
"1.011 Hz compared to 0.990 Hz"
?
Thanks.
1
vote
5 answers
How to correctly express volume units
I have to replace imperial units with metric units in a text, and since this is not technical writing , I have to maintain the prose style and clarity.
This is a troubling phrase: "...the air in 1 cubic foot...".
I think I can do that: "...the air…
Luiz Borges
- 203
1
vote
2 answers
When to use yards or miles for distances? What unit to use for areas (hectares, acres, sqyards, sqmiles...)?
I perfectly know how to convert these units, but I don't understand if there's a specific reason for choosing one instead of another.
What troubles me the most about them is the difference between yards and miles. Does it depend on the country you…
Fra
- 143
1
vote
4 answers
Unit prefix of zeroth power
Unit prefix for 10-1 is deci, for 10-2 centi, for 10-3 milli, for 10-6 micro and so on. Powers greater or equal one also have names: 101 is deca, 102 is hecto, 103 is kilo etc..
We can say, for example, “Multiply the measurement in millimeters by…
viuser
- 143
0
votes
2 answers
What's the 'name' for the variation of period units that end in 'ly'?
If I call week, month, year, day = singular unit
weeks, months, years, days = plural unit
What do/can I call = weekly, monthly, yearly (though maybe 'annually'), daily - ?
PS: I'm aware of this similar question - What is the collective term for…
Dan.
- 109
0
votes
1 answer
Why the paper size is called a fools-cap?
Usually the sizes are to be measured in any of the units. But to our amazement the paper size is called as FOOL'S CAP. This is not defining any measurement exactly but it throw a vague idea about the exact size of the paper both in length and width.…
0
votes
1 answer
Why is it "Heating Degree Day(s)" but all others are degrees like zero degrees as in a thermometer?
I have read other questions about zero degrees or zero degree but why is it heating degree days and not degrees? It makes sense to say one degree but zero degrees holds true in until you use absolute zero.
brian inman
- 17
0
votes
1 answer
What is the meaning of "one-half meter"?
I have found this phrase that as a non-native English speaker perplexes me:
...returning images with a resolution of up to one-half meter per pixel.
The possible meanings of "one-half" to me are:
Every pixel represents half a meter
Every pixel…
George
- 111
0
votes
1 answer
Which word I can use as unit to count for fish/shimp and animal?
[Sorry for bad English]
In a list I have:
Item Unit Amount
Choptick Pair 1
Fan Pieces 1
Lobster ??? 1
Tuna ??? 1
Chicken ??? 1
Pig ??? 1
(choptick and fan are for example)
In the ???…
NoName
- 111
0
votes
0 answers
Units in a "to" Range
How should units be written in a phrase like 50-100 (fifty to a hundred).
Would it be 50-100cm or 50cm-100cm?
Dog Lover
- 6,445