an archive

USAGE SUMMARY

"an archive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a collection of historic documents, records, images, or other materials, typically kept in one place or organized in a systematic way. For example, "The museum has an archive of ancient artifacts from the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

An archive analyst takes the objectives for an archive and designs an archiving system that accomplishes the objectives.

Database Archiving How to Keep Lots of Data for a Very Long Time

Two writers guard an archive.

The New Yorker

There needs to be an archive".

The New York Times

"Maybe a collection, a museum, an archive.

The New York Times

"Is the web an archive?

The Guardian - Arts

Never seen anyone rummage an archive slyly?

The Guardian

"They're calling it an archive," Tom Wolfe points out.

The New Yorker

Might anyone volunteer to set up an archive?

The Economist

"They do have England there, compressed into an archive.

Independent

The Puccini house became a museum and an archive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

SKINHEAD AN ARCHIVE Toby Mott Ditto Press.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the past, consider establishing "an archive" to give readers a more detailed view of supporting documents and primary source material.

Common error

Avoid using "an archive" when you actually mean the process of archiving. "An archive" refers to the collection itself, not the act of creating or maintaining it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an archive" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage for referring to collections of historical materials, records, or documents, as seen in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an archive" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively denotes a collection of historical materials or records. It appears commonly in news, media, and scientific contexts, with a neutral to formal register. When using the phrase, it's crucial to differentiate it from the action of archiving and to appreciate its significance in preserving information for future use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a repository

Focuses on the aspect of a place where things are stored, emphasizing the storage function.

a historical collection

Highlights the historical significance of the collected items.

a record collection

Specifies the type of items being collected: records or documents.

a data store

Emphasizes that it is a digital or computerized collection of information.

a digital repository

Focuses on the digital nature and storage aspect.

an index

Emphasizes the aspect of an organized list of data.

a compilation

Highlights the gathering of diverse materials into one place.

a file

Focuses on the aspect of one or more computer files.

a registry

Emphasizes official recording.

a database

Focuses on a structured set of data held in a computer, especially one that is accessible in various ways.

FAQs

What is the difference between "an archive" and "a library"?

"An archive" typically holds unique, unpublished materials like documents and records. A library, on the other hand, primarily contains published books and periodicals.

How do you use "an archive" in a sentence?

You can use "an archive" to refer to a collection of historical records, for example: "The university maintains "an archive" of its founding documents."

What is another word for "an archive"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "a repository", "a collection", or "a record".

Can "an archive" be digital?

Yes, "an archive" can absolutely be digital. It can refer to a collection of digital files, records, or documents stored electronically.