Artificial

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Artificial" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to something that is made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally. Example: "The artificial intelligence system improved the efficiency of the process." Alternative expressions include "synthetic" and "man-made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The music may be real, but everything else is artificial.

The Guardian

His artificial trees are not yet cost-effective to produce but Shepherd said it was probably just a matter of time.

The Guardian

And in the US, though breast pumps, vasectomies and artificial teeth are sales tax-exempt and tax-deductible medical care, tampons are not even exempted from sales tax in some states (including California and New York, two of the most populous states).

The Guardian - Opinion

The project was later abandoned, but not before the blasting of an enormous artificial lagoon with sea access.

The Guardian - Travel

In reducing tuition fees to an artificial level, Labour would jeopardise the value, worth and quality of British degrees.

The Guardian

Once computers are in full control of our cars, do we even need traffic lights at intersections? That's the idea behind AIM – autonomous intersection management – at the artificial intelligence laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin.

The Guardian - Tech

Artist Howard Hodgkin once said the house was "as romantic and artificial as I had hoped" and it is.

The Guardian - Arts

"I remember how," she later said, "during the war, a bombing once led to the accidental unearthing of a carved Anglo-Norman capital in which the artificial colouring of the stone had somehow been preserved.

The Guardian - Arts

Some islands are artificial, such as the obscenely expensive projects of Qatar's Pearl resorts or Dubai's Palm Islands.

The Guardian - Music

The guide, he said, "helpfully" defines "evening civil twilight" as "'that period between sunset and total darkness when it is necessary to use artificial light to carry out most activities'.

The Guardian

In recent years, huge advances in digital cameras have enabled photographers to work in much lower light, capturing animals at dusk without artificial lighting, or immortalising fast-moving, never-before-seen events in nature.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional qualities or relationships, consider whether "artificial" accurately reflects the intended meaning. Sometimes words like "contrived" or "insincere" provide better nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "artificial" as a generic descriptor for anything negative. Ensure the context genuinely relates to something being man-made or deliberately constructed rather than simply undesirable or wrong.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Artificial" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing them as man-made, non-natural, or contrived. Ludwig provides examples that showcase this usage, highlighting its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Artificial" functions primarily as an adjective, denoting something man-made, simulated, or contrived. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, especially in news, science, and formal business settings. While generally neutral, careful consideration should be given to ensure its appropriateness, especially when describing emotions or abstract concepts. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, misuse can occur when "artificial" is employed too broadly, where more specific terms may offer greater clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Synthetic

Refers to something made by chemical synthesis, often implying an imitation of a natural product.

Man-made

Directly indicates that something is created by humans, contrasting with naturally occurring items.

Non-natural

Emphasizes the absence of a natural origin, highlighting the manipulated or constructed nature of something.

Simulated

Suggests something is created to imitate or replicate a real thing, often used in technical contexts.

Manufactured

Indicates that something is produced on a large scale, typically in a factory setting.

Contrived

Implies that something is deliberately created in a way that seems artificial or unrealistic.

Fabricated

Suggests that something is invented or made up, often with a negative connotation of deceit.

Imitation

Refers to something that is made to look like something else, often of lesser quality.

Faux

A French term meaning false or artificial, often used to describe fashion or decorative items.

Engineered

Indicates something has been designed and built, often with specific technical requirements in mind.

FAQs

How can I use "Artificial" in a sentence?

"Artificial" is an adjective used to describe something made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally. For example, "The flowers were artificial." It can also mean false or contrived, such as "Her manner was somewhat artificial."

What words can I use instead of "Artificial"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "synthetic", "man-made", or "contrived" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to describe emotions as "Artificial"?

While you can describe emotions as "artificial", it often implies that the emotions are insincere or deliberately faked. In many cases, words like "contrived" or "insincere" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "Artificial" and "Synthetic"?

"Artificial" generally means made by human beings, often as a copy of something natural, while "synthetic" specifically refers to something made through chemical synthesis. Therefore, all synthetic materials are artificial, but not all artificial things are synthetic.