a string of words

USAGE SUMMARY

"a string of words" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a figure of speech used to refer to a grouping of words used to express or convey a particular thought or concept. For example, "The old adage 'A stitch in time saves nine' is a string of words that conveys an important truth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Each sentence is based on a string of words that follow the same pattern.

MIT Technology Review

Imagination is summoned by a string of words: mind, night, south, wind, moon, green.

The Guardian - Books

She described the memory as "a string of words that I recall".

The New York Times

I can easily determine whether a student has copied a string of words from an Internet source.

The Washington Post

An "n-gram" is a string of words appearing in a text, and Google's interface lets you search for combinations of up to five words in a row.

The New York Times

An unclear word can be disambiguated by the words around it, as the software tries to match a string of words to a string in its database.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

In each trial, a string of 12 words (either a sentence or a string of non-words) was presented sequentially (400 ms per word), followed by a 1-s probe item; the subject's task was to decide whether the probe item matched any of the words in the preceding string.

Nature

Mr Terry was said in court to have responded to Mr Ferdinand with a string of swear words, curses and other insults which included the word "black".

BBC

A string of three words that could not have been better designed to infuriate our president.

The New York Times

In a typical test for mild cognitive impairment, a patient is asked to repeat a string of unrelated words.

The New York Times

If you pay attention to the right-wing's rhetoric, you can hear a string of code words that feed the fears of these people and paralyze progress.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a string of words", consider whether a more specific term like 'sentence', 'phrase', or 'utterance' would be more precise and informative.

Common error

Avoid using "a string of words" in highly formal or academic contexts where more precise language is expected. Opt for terms like 'statement', 'assertion', or 'argument' to convey your meaning with greater clarity and authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a string of words" functions as a noun phrase, often used to describe a sequence of words without implying specific meaning or coherence. Ludwig AI, confirms its correct usage and demonstrates its appearance across diverse contexts. For example, as used in Ludwig’s examples, it can refer to sentences, search queries or even someone’s utterances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a string of words" is a common noun phrase used to describe a sequence of words. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. It often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying a lack of deeper meaning or substance. When writing, consider if a more specific term might be more appropriate, especially in formal settings. Alternatives include ""a sequence of terms"", ""a series of expressions"", and ""lexical sequence"". While widely used, be mindful of overuse in formal writing to maintain clarity and authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sequence of terms

Focuses on a specific order within a defined set of vocabulary.

a series of expressions

Implies a connected set of statements or utterances.

a chain of concepts

Highlights the linking of abstract ideas through language.

an arrangement of text

Emphasizes the structured organization of written content.

a compilation of text

Suggests a collection of words brought together, potentially from different sources.

a cluster of descriptors

Refers to a group of words used to describe something.

a verbal construct

Highlights language as an artificial construction.

a linguistic unit

Emphasizes the role of the expression as the basic unit of language.

a set of utterances

Focuses on the spoken expression, suggesting a set of things said.

lexical sequence

Uses more specific linguistic terminology to refer to the ordered arrangement of words.

FAQs

How can I use "a string of words" in a sentence?

You can use "a string of words" to describe a sequence of words forming a phrase, sentence, or expression. For example, "The politician's speech was just "a string of words" with no real substance".

What are some alternatives to "a string of words"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a sequence of terms", "a series of expressions", or "lexical sequence".

Is it appropriate to use "a string of words" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "a string of words" might be considered too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more precise terms like "statement", "proposition", or "linguistic expression".

What does it mean when someone says something is just "a string of words"?

It typically implies that the statement lacks substance, coherence, or meaning. It suggests that the words, while grammatically correct, don't convey any real information or value.