according to a sample

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "according to a sample" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referencing information or data derived from a specific sample in research or analysis. Example: "According to a sample of 500 participants, the majority preferred option A over option B."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Employees have 45 days to decide whether to sign, and 7 days to revoke their decisions, according to a sample waiver that was attached to the motion.

The New York Times

Over all, the number of grants of $5 million or more is climbing sharply, according to a sample taken by the Foundation Center.

The New York Times

And about 20percentt of public Web sites that existed nine months ago no longer exist, according to a sample studied last week by the Online Library Computer Center, a nonprofit library group in Dublin, Ohio.

The New York Times - Tech

Egyptians are the fourth most numerous foreign contingent in Syria, according to a sample study of 280 fighters co-authored by Aaron Zelin, a Washington-based jihadi-watcher.

The Economist

Mr Lavely points out that China is unusual in having significantly higher infant mortality among girls than boys: 39 per 1,000 girls compared with 30 per 1,000 boys, according to a sample census in 1995.

The Economist

One purpose of the review is to examine why 61% of girls in custody have backgrounds in care compared with a third of boys, according to a sample of 942 male (76% of those in custody in 2012-13) and 16 female (88%) 10- to 17-year-olds.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

According to a sampling of 1,100 radio stations, that song had 4,267 spins, or one-time playing, last week, up from 54 spins the previous week.

The New York Times - Arts

Those $100-$100-$200 shoes you see in stores carry a declared customs value of $5.27 per pair, according to a sampling of ten shipments of Nike shoes from Vietnam destined for the US market.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thirty-nine percent of large companies gave their chief executives such awards last year, up from 33percentt in 1998, according to a sampling of proxies by Pearl Meyer & Partners, compensation consultants in New York.

The New York Times

According to a sampling of passengers on a drizzly spring day, there is a surprising amount of affection for the moniker and the history.

The New York Times

In certain surveys, it is of interest to estimate the population ratio R=Y/X (or equivalently, Ȳ/X̄), whereY=∑1NYi and X=∑1NXi, based on a sample of size n selected according to a sampling design p(s).

Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "according to a sample", clearly define the sample size and characteristics to provide context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid implying that findings based on a sample represent the entire population without acknowledging the limitations of the sample size or selection method. Always specify the sample to avoid misleading interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "according to a sample" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a statement or finding. It indicates that the information presented is based on data or observations collected from a specific subset (the sample) of a larger population. Ludwig examples show it appears in varied source material.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "according to a sample" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to attribute information or findings to a specific group within a larger population. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent in both news and scientific writing, indicating a basis in research or data collection. When employing this phrase, it's best practice to clearly define the sample to avoid overgeneralizing results. Related alternatives include "based on a sample" and "as per a sample". While versatile, consider the nuances each phrase conveys to maintain accuracy and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

based on a sample

This alternative directly replaces "according to" with "based on", emphasizing the foundation of the information on the sample.

derived from a sample

This alternative emphasizes the origin of the information, indicating it was obtained directly from the sample.

as per a sample

This alternative uses "as per" instead of "according to", providing a slightly more formal tone while retaining the core meaning.

drawing from a sample

This alternative highlights the act of extracting information or conclusions from the sample.

reflecting a sample

This alternative implies that the information accurately represents the characteristics or properties of the sample.

using a sample as evidence

This alternative specifies the role of the sample as supporting evidence for a claim.

informed by a sample

This alternative suggests that the information or conclusion has been shaped or influenced by the sample.

considering a sample

This alternative positions the sample as a factor taken into account when forming a conclusion.

from a sample's perspective

This alternative emphasizes the viewpoint originating from the sample, suitable when discussing opinions or attitudes.

viewing through a sample

This alternative suggests that the sample provides a lens through which a broader phenomenon is understood.

FAQs

How can I use "according to a sample" in a sentence?

You can use "according to a sample" to introduce information or data derived from a specific group. For example, "According to a sample of 200 adults, 60% prefer coffee over tea".

What phrases are similar to "according to a sample"?

Similar phrases include "based on a sample", "as per a sample", or "derived from a sample", which all indicate that information comes from a subset of a larger population.

Is it better to say "based on a sample" or "according to a sample"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. "Based on a sample" might be slightly more direct, while "according to a sample" adds a touch of formality.

What does it mean when a study says "according to a sample"?

When a study states "according to a sample", it means the findings are based on data collected from a subset of the population. The results are likely representative of the larger group, but the representativeness of the sample should be considered.