an associates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an associates" is not correct in written English.
It should be "an associate" or "associates" depending on the context. Example: "She is an associate at the law firm, working on various cases."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Plus musical references, as you'd expect, including the title, from an Associates song about parents failing to protect their offspring.

The Guardian - Books

She cares for her mother and son – both of whom are disabled – while she completes an associates degree in information technology.

The Guardian - Opinion

He had dropped out of college more than 20 years ago, three classes short of an associates degree when his former wife became ill.

The New York Times

She graduated from Georgetown Visitation, a Catholic girl's high school in Washington, DC and earned an associates degree from Georgetown Visitation Junior College.

The New York Times

In July, Gibbs inaugurated an associates degree in applied science in digital arts and animation at a new Plainview facility that will lead to jobs in new media, film and television.

The New York Times

Born in Australia, Sarah grew up on Long Island, NY, moved into New York City and later to Santa Monica, CA. Sarah is a graduate of Our Lady of Mercy Academy, Syosset, NY and also holds an Associates Degree from Santa Monica City College.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

and an "associate" for $100.

The New Yorker

He was an associate dean.

The New York Times

Earl Dowson is an associate director.

The New Yorker

9 05 Grills an associate.

The New York Times - Magazine

Just then an associate passed her by.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a single person, use "an associate" instead of "an associates". When referring to multiple individuals use "associates".

Common error

Avoid using plural nouns with the indefinite articles "a" or "an". Always ensure that singular nouns are paired with these articles, while plural nouns stand alone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an associates" is typically used as a noun phrase, but it is grammatically incorrect. It appears in contexts related to education, employment, and general affiliations, similar to the examples shown by Ludwig. The correct forms are "an associate" or "associates."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

35%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an associates" is a grammatically incorrect form that often appears in contexts related to education, professional affiliations, and general descriptions of people associated with something. Ludwig AI points out that the correct forms are either "an associate" (singular) or "associates" (plural). Despite its frequent appearance in diverse sources, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science, it is best to avoid this phrasing to maintain grammatical accuracy. Pay attention to whether you’re referring to a single person or multiple people; use ""an associate"" for one person and "associates" for more than one. Always avoid using plural nouns with the indefinite articles "a" or "an".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

associates

Uses the plural form, implying multiple entities without the indefinite article. This correction makes the phrase grammatically sound.

an associate

Removes the plural form, changing the meaning to a singular entity and is grammatically correct.

an associate's

Uses the possessive form, indicating ownership or relation, which changes the grammatical structure and meaning.

a colleague

Replaces the term with a synonym referring to a co-worker, altering the specific context but maintaining a similar professional connotation.

a co-worker

Similar to "colleague", but slightly less formal, indicating someone who works in the same place.

a member

Substitutes with a term indicating belonging to a group, shifting the context to membership rather than association.

a fellow

Suggests a sense of camaraderie or shared experience, altering the context from a direct association.

a peer

Offers a term denoting someone of equal standing, changing the focus to equality rather than association.

a counterpart

Indicates someone holding a similar position in another organization, changing the scope of association.

a partner

Replaces "associate" with a term suggesting a higher level of involvement or responsibility, which changes the professional dynamic.

FAQs

How do I use "an associate" correctly in a sentence?

Use "an associate" when referring to a single person affiliated with an organization or group. For example, "He is "an associate" at the law firm" is correct, while "He is "an associates" at the law firm" is incorrect.

What's the difference between "an associate" and "associates"?

"An associate" refers to a single person or member, while "associates" refers to multiple people. The choice depends on whether you're talking about one person or a group of people.

Is "an associates degree" grammatically correct?

No, the correct phrase is "an associate's degree" or "associates degrees" depending on the context. "An associate's degree" is the degree held by "an associate", while "associates degrees" is the plural form, referring to multiple degrees held by multiple people.

What can I use instead of "an associates"?

Depending on the context, you can use ""an associate"", "associates", "a colleague", or "a member".