ENGLISH
REFERENCE

inches

n. countable
A2 Elementary US //ˈɪntʃəz// UK //ˈɪntʃɪz// inch·es

n. a small unit for measuring length. There are twelve of these in one foot, and one is about the size of the top part of your thumb.

n. a unit of linear measure equal to one-twelfth of a foot or exactly 2.54 centimetres. Often used figuratively to describe very small distances or incremental progress.


SIMPLE

The screen on my new phone is six inches long.

CONTEXTUAL

The heavy rain caused the water level in the garden pond to rise by several inches overnight.

COMPLEX

The negotiators refused to budge even a few inches from their original demands, leading to a complete stalemate that lasted for several weeks.

Synonyms
Usage

Plural form of 'inch'. When used as a compound modifier before a noun, the singular form is required (e.g., 'a six-inch blade').

Pitfall

He is six inches taller than meHe is six inches taller than I amWhile common in speech, formal writing often requires the subjective pronoun 'I' after 'than' when comparing heights.

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