a school

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a school" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an educational institution in a general sense. Example: "She decided to enroll her child in a school that focuses on the arts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Burning a school?

The New York Times

Kill a school girl.

The New York Times

"It's a school night".

The New Yorker

To start a school".

The New York Times

A school in Chakala.

The New Yorker

Why a school lunch?

The New York Times

We built a school.

The New York Times

It contains a school.

The New Yorker

A school is under construction.

The New York Times

"It's a school of management".

The New York Times

We would build a school.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about educational reforms, use "a school" to refer to any generic educational institution.

Common error

Be specific when discussing educational settings. While "a school" is acceptable for general references, using specific terms such as "a high school", "a university", or "a vocational school" provides clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a school" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig examples show it being used to describe the establishment of schools or attendance at them. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a school" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to an educational institution. Ludwig examples show it appears frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely accepted and suitable for various registers, from neutral to formal. When precision is needed, consider alternatives like "an academy" or "a learning institution". Overall, "a school" is a versatile and widely understood term for any place of learning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an academy

Implies a specialized institution, often focusing on arts or sciences.

a learning institution

A more formal and general term for a place of education.

an educational establishment

Similar to a learning institution, but emphasizes the structured nature of the education.

a place of learning

Highlights the function of the institution as a center for acquiring knowledge.

a college

Refers specifically to a post-secondary educational institution.

a university

Refers to an institution of higher education offering undergraduate and graduate degrees.

a training center

Focuses on practical skills and vocational training.

a higher education center

Emphasizes post-secondary education and advanced learning.

a private school

Specifies that the school is not government-funded.

a public school

Specifies that the school is government-funded and available to all.

FAQs

How can I use "a school" in a sentence?

You can use "a school" to refer to an educational institution in a general sense, such as "She decided to enroll her child in "a school" that focuses on the arts".

What can I say instead of "a school"?

You can use alternatives like "a learning institution", "an educational establishment", or "a place of learning" depending on the context.

When should I use "a school" versus more specific terms like "college" or "university"?

Use ""a school"" when referring to an educational institution in a general way. Use "college" or "university" when you are specifically referring to post-secondary institutions.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "a school"?

It's generally correct to use ""a school"" in most contexts, but ensure that it aligns with the specific level or type of educational institution you intend to convey. If discussing higher education, consider "a university" for clarity.