a search engine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a search engine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a software system designed to carry out web searches and retrieve information from the internet. Example: "Google is the most popular search engine used by millions of people worldwide."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The product also adds a search engine labeled "Safe Search".

Wikipedia

MC Hammer backs a search engine.

The New York Times

A search engine needs data to search.

The New Yorker

It's called a search engine.

The Guardian - Tech

A search engine had ended the search.

The New York Times

Lycos (//www.lycos.com) is a search engine.

The New York Times

A search engine won't do it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cayce is Isabel, with a search engine.

The New York Times - Books

How good a search engine is Like.com?

The New York Times - Tech

But it is not a search engine.

The New York Times

Ask Jeeves (//www.askjeeves.com) is a search engine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about search engines, be specific about their function or context. For example, instead of just saying "use a search engine", specify the type of search or the platform, like "use a scholarly search engine for research".

Common error

Avoid using "a search engine" as a catch-all term when referring to complex online tools. Differentiate between general search engines and specialized platforms like databases or knowledge engines.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a search engine" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it refers to a software system designed for web searches. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a search engine" is a common noun phrase used to describe tools for finding information online. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, specific contexts may require more precise language. Ludwig's examples showcase its diverse usage, highlighting its central role in online information access.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

web search tool

Replaces "engine" with "tool", focusing on the functionality.

online search platform

Substitutes "engine" with "platform", emphasizing the broader system.

internet search utility

Uses "utility" instead of "engine", highlighting the practical aspect.

search service

Replaces "engine" with "service", focusing on the provided functionality.

information retrieval system

A more technical term for a search engine.

web crawler

Focuses on the data gathering aspect of a search engine.

search index

Emphasizes the indexed data used for searching.

content aggregator

Highlights the function of collecting and organizing content.

data mining tool

Focuses on the data analysis capabilities.

algorithmic search

Emphasizes the algorithmic aspect of the search process.

FAQs

How to use "a search engine" in a sentence?

You can use "a search engine" to describe a tool for finding information online, for example: "Google is a widely used "a search engine"."

What can I say instead of "a search engine"?

You can use alternatives like "web search tool", "online search platform", or "internet search utility" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a search engine" or "the search engine"?

"A search engine" is used when referring to search engines in general, while "the search engine" refers to a specific search engine already mentioned or understood in context.

What's the difference between "a search engine" and "a search algorithm"?

"A search engine" is the overall system for searching, while "a search algorithm" is a specific method or process used within the search engine to find results.