a sample of files

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sample of files" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a selection or subset of files for review, analysis, or demonstration purposes. Example: "Please provide a sample of files for us to evaluate the quality of your work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The oldest case the inspectors found in a sample of files this summer had been waiting since June 1995 for a decision.

The Guardian

The document mentions only one check carried out by the NSA on the raw intelligence, saying the agency will "regularly review a sample of files transferred to ISNU to validate the absence of US persons' identities".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Additional file 3 illustrates the coverage distribution across a sample of BAM files.

BMC Medical Genomics

The Guardian asked the Obama administration how many times US data had been found in the raw intelligence, either by the Israelis or when the NSA reviewed a sample of the files, but officials declined to provide this information.

The Guardian

To be sure, the data is based on a sample of borrowers' files contained in the National Student Loan Data System, an Education Department-run database that experts contend is rife with errors.

Huffington Post

Hospitals B, C and D would not release admission data but did provide a sample of patient files for audit.

F1000Research

At the same time, a sample of patient files was reviewed to assess completeness of care and to trace medical problems.

BMC Pediatrics

A sample of the file format can be seen in Table 1.

BMC Genomics

RBS reviewed a sample of EFG customer files and said the exercise "identified a number of instances where we have not properly explained to customers how borrower and guarantor liabilities work under the EFG scheme".

BBC

It is impossible to detect fraud without reviewing a sample of the loan files.

Huffington Post

To estimate the number of nasopharyngeal swabs taken as a routine test, we retrospectively reviewed a sample of 217 patient files and found that 31 (14%) had been tested for influenza; 6 of those tests yielded positive results.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sample of files", ensure the sample is representative of the whole if you intend to draw general conclusions. Otherwise, state the specific criteria for selecting the sample.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a sample of files" accurately represents the entire collection without proper statistical validation. Bias in sample selection can lead to misleading results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sample of files" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is both correct and commonly used. It denotes a subset of files taken for analysis or review from a larger group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a sample of files" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to a selection of files taken from a larger set for examination or analysis. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is most frequently encountered in scientific and news contexts, reflecting its use in research, reporting, and auditing. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the sample is representative if you intend to draw general conclusions. Alternatives include "a selection of files" or "a subset of files", which may be more appropriate depending on the specific context and the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a selection of files

Replaces "sample" with "selection", emphasizing the act of choosing.

a subset of files

Uses the mathematical term "subset" to indicate a smaller group within a larger set.

a sampling of files

Similar to the original, but emphasizes the process of taking a sample.

a representative set of files

Highlights that the chosen files are meant to accurately reflect the larger group.

a collection of files

Replaces "sample" with "collection", suggesting a group gathered for a specific purpose.

a cross-section of files

Implies that the files are diverse and representative of the whole.

a portion of files

Indicates a part or share of the total number of files.

an extract of files

Suggests that relevant information has been pulled out from the files.

a fragment of files

Emphasizes that the files form an incomplete part of a larger whole.

files chosen at random

Highlights the fact that the files were chosen randomly.

FAQs

How can I use "a sample of files" in a sentence?

You might say, "The auditor reviewed "a sample of files" to assess compliance" or "We analyzed "a sample of files" to identify trends".

What are some alternatives to "a sample of files"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a selection of files", "a subset of files", or "a representative set of files".

Is it better to say "a sample of files" or "a selection of files"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but ""a sample of files"" often implies a statistically representative subset, while "a selection of files" simply means a group that has been chosen.

When is it appropriate to use "a sample of files" in technical writing?

It's appropriate when you need to analyze or demonstrate something without examining the entire dataset. For instance, "A sample of files was used to validate the new algorithm's performance".