a smartphone application

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a smartphone application" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an application designed to run on a smartphone device. Example: "I just downloaded a smartphone application that helps me track my fitness goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's a smartphone application for that, too.

The New York Times

Square's front door to customers is a smartphone application.

The New York Times

Periscope is a smartphone application that allows users to stream live video via their Twitter account.

The Guardian

But Mr. Bennett's videos do more than simply show how a smartphone application works.

The New York Times

A smartphone application would deliver much of the intelligence required to operate the car.

The New York Times

A smartphone application alerts Dad if his son is texting while driving.

The New York Times - Tech

There is already a smartphone application that tells drivers when these spaces are available.

The New York Times

The company, Pango, recently introduced a smartphone application to manage the parking process.

The New York Times

Mr. Whaley was using Uber, a service that allows people to order livery cabs through a smartphone application.

The New York Times

Ranadive, who attends nearly every home game, created a smartphone application that lets fans follow the team.

The New York Times - Sports

Grindr, a smartphone application that connects gay men by GPS proximity, has more than 25,000 San Francisco users.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about applications, specify the platform (iOS, Android) if it's relevant to your audience. Knowing the target platform helps users understand compatibility.

Common error

Avoid using "a smartphone application" when a more specific term (e.g., "fitness tracker app", "navigation app") would provide clarity. Precision enhances understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a smartphone application" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific type of software designed for use on smartphones, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples showing it in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a smartphone application" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase used to describe software designed for smartphones. Ludwig's analysis reveals it appears frequently in scientific and news media contexts with a neutral register. While "mobile app" is a shorter alternative, the full phrase provides clarity, especially in formal settings. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in various writing styles, and its prevalence indicates its widespread acceptance in both technical and general discussions. Remember to specify the platform if that improves precision and understanding for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mobile app

Replaces "smartphone application" with the shorter, more common term "mobile app".

a phone app

Substitutes "smartphone" with "phone", a more general term.

an application for smartphones

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the target device.

a software application for smartphones

Adds "software" to specify the nature of the application.

a mobile application

Uses "mobile" instead of "smartphone" for a broader category.

a program for smartphones

Replaces "application" with "program", offering a slightly different connotation.

an app for smartphones

Uses the abbreviated form "app" for "application".

smartphone software

Simplifies the phrase to focus on the software itself.

a digital application for phones

Emphasizes the digital nature of the application and broadens the device scope.

software designed for smartphones

Focuses on the design aspect of the software.

FAQs

How can I use "a smartphone application" in a sentence?

You can use "a smartphone application" to describe software designed to run on smartphones. For example, "I use "a smartphone application" to track my daily expenses".

What can I say instead of "a smartphone application"?

Alternatives include "a mobile app", "a phone app", or simply "an app", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to say "smartphone app" since apps are usually for smartphones?

While the term "app" often implies a smartphone application, specifying "smartphone app" can provide clarity, especially when discussing applications across different platforms (e.g., desktop apps versus mobile apps).

What's the difference between "a smartphone application" and "mobile software"?

"A smartphone application" refers to a specific application designed for smartphones, whereas "mobile software" is a broader term encompassing all software designed for mobile devices, including operating systems and various applications.