a mole

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mole" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as referring to a small burrowing mammal, a spy, or a unit of measurement in chemistry. Example: "The scientist explained that one mole of a substance contains approximately 6.022 x 10^23 particles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

To whack a mole?

The New Yorker

But there was a mole.

The New York Times

— A mole that's irregularly shaped.

The New York Times

No it isn't a mole.

Independent

Is the character Danny Galvez a mole?

The New York Times

A mole has more sweetness than depth.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"It's like Whac-a-Mole.

The New York Times

Whack-a-Mole medicine became insanely complicated.

The New York Times

"It's like whack-a-mole," she said.

The Guardian

"It's a massive whack-a-mole problem".

The Guardian

But it's an engineering game of Whac-A-Mole.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific or medical writing, consider using technical terms like 'nevus' or specifying 'one mole of substance' for better precision.

Common error

Avoid using "a mole" in contexts where it could be misread. For example, in a report about a chemical lab located in a rural area, phrase sentences carefully to ensure the reader knows if you are discussing chemistry results or an infestation of burrowing mammals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mole" functions as a count noun phrase consisting of an indefinite article and a singular noun. According to Ludwig AI examples, it acts as the subject or object in sentences across vastly different fields, including biology, chemistry and political science.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "a mole" is a quintessential example of English polysemy, functioning correctly and frequently across four major disciplines. Ludwig AI data demonstrates that the phrase is equally at home in a dermatology clinic, an intelligence briefing, a chemistry laboratory or a backyard garden. While its grammatical structure remains a simple noun phrase, its meaning is entirely dependent on the surrounding context. Writers should be mindful of this versatility to ensure their specific intent is clear, especially when transitioning between scientific and general registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an informant

specific to the context of someone providing secret information from within an organization

a spy

a more general term for an undercover agent or operative

a nevus

the formal medical term for a pigmented skin growth

a double agent

specifies a mole who works for two opposing intelligence services

a burrowing mammal

replaces the animal name with a descriptive biological classification

an inside man

a more informal way to describe a mole in a criminal or corporate setting

a birthmark

refers to a mark present from birth rather than a mole that might develop later

a gram-molecule

an older term for the chemical unit of measurement

a skin lesion

a broader medical term for any abnormality on the skin

a beauty mark

emphasizes the aesthetic quality of a facial mole

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a mole" in a spy novel?

You can use terms like "an informant", "an inside source" or "a plant" depending on the character's specific role.

What is the medical name for "a mole"?

The clinical term for a common mole is "a nevus" (plural: nevi). Doctors may also refer to a suspicious mole as "a skin lesion".

How do you use "a mole" in a chemistry sentence?

In chemistry, it refers to a specific amount of substance. For example, you might write that "one mole of" carbon contains Avogadro's number of atoms.

Is there a difference between "a mole" and a birthmark?

Yes, while both appear on the skin, "a birthmark" is present from birth, whereas "a mole" can develop at any time during a person's life.