Collocations for scale - noun
1. size/extent
ADJ.
full
It was several days before the full scale of the accident became clear.
It was several days before the full scale of the accident became clear.
big, considerable, grand, greater, huge, large, massive, monumental, vast | modest, small | sheer
It is difficult to comprehend the sheer scale of the suffering caused by the war.
It is difficult to comprehend the sheer scale of the suffering caused by the war.
unprecedented
a misuse of presidential power on an unprecedented scale
a misuse of presidential power on an unprecedented scale
ambitious, lavish
Do they always entertain on such a lavish scale?
Do they always entertain on such a lavish scale?
global, international, national, regional, world | commercial
The dolls are now produced on a commercial scale.
The dolls are now produced on a commercial scale.
human
The city would operate on a more human scale if cars were banned from the centre.
The city would operate on a more human scale if cars were banned from the centre.
VERB + SCALE
increase | reduce
PREP.
in ~
The paintings are small in scale.
The paintings are small in scale.
on a ~
pollution on a massive scale
pollution on a massive scale
PHRASES
an economy of scale
Economies of scale enable the larger companies to lower their prices.
Economies of scale enable the larger companies to lower their prices.
the scale of the problem
2. range of values
ADJ.
fixed | sliding
Benefits are paid on a sliding scale according to family income.
Benefits are paid on a sliding scale according to family income.
rating | time
Can you give me any sort of time scale for the completion of the building work?
Can you give me any sort of time scale for the completion of the building work?
evolutionary | social | pay, salary, wage
The company has a five-point pay scale.
The company has a five-point pay scale.
Beaufort, Richter
The earthquake measured 6.4 on the Richter scale.
The earthquake measured 6.4 on the Richter scale.
VERB + SCALE
go/move down/up, rise up
He has risen up the social scale from rather humble beginnings.
He has risen up the social scale from rather humble beginnings.
SCALE + VERB
go/range from … to …
a scale ranging from ‘utterly miserable’ to ‘deliriously happy’
a scale ranging from ‘utterly miserable’ to ‘deliriously happy’
PREP.
on a/the ~
Where do birds come on the evolutionary scale?
Where do birds come on the evolutionary scale?
~ of … to …
On a scale of 1 to 10, he scores 7.
On a scale of 1 to 10, he scores 7.
PHRASES
the bottom/end/top of the scale
After 10 years, she had worked her way to the top of the pay scale.
After 10 years, she had worked her way to the top of the pay scale.
3. relation between actual size and size of a model, etc.
VERB + SCALE
draw sth to | have
SCALE + NOUN
drawing, model
He''s made a scale model of the Eiffel Tower.
He''s made a scale model of the Eiffel Tower.
PREP.
to ~
The plan of the building is not drawn to scale.
The plan of the building is not drawn to scale.
~ of … to …
The map has a scale of one centimetre to the kilometre. | a scale of 1: 25,000
The map has a scale of one centimetre to the kilometre. | a scale of 1: 25,000
4. in music
ADJ.
major, minor | chromatic, diatonic, diminished, pentatonic, whole-tone
VERB + SCALE
play, sing | practise
We could hear her practising her scales.
We could hear her practising her scales.
PREP.
~ of
the scale of C major
the scale of C major
5. on a fish, etc.
ADJ.
overlapping | fine, thin | armoured | fish
VERB + SCALE
be covered in/with