an element is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an element is" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when defining or describing a specific component or part of a larger whole, often in scientific or technical contexts. Example: "In chemistry, an element is a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Earth as an element is clearly important to this artist.

The New York Times - Arts

Deductions are taken if an element is not completed or repeated.

The New York Times - Sports

The other way to describe the position of an element is by its offset.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The answer will be plain if we first explain what kind of substance an element is.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Now whenever an element is moved, the move is already paid for.

Cornell University

Instead, when an element is requested from a range, it is computed.

University of California, Berkeley

In particular, they looked for telltales that an element is being maintained by natural selection.

The Economist

The heat of formation of an element is arbitrarily assigned a value of zero.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(The distribution of an element is the whole range of contexts in which it can occur).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Today the atomic weight of an element is recognized as the weighted average of the masses of its isotopes.

Britannica

The equivalent weight of an element is its gram atomic weight divided by its valence (combining power).

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When defining a term or concept, use "an element is" to clearly state its fundamental nature or characteristic. For example, "In programming, an element is a basic building block of code."

Common error

Avoid using "an element is" when you simply want to describe a property or action related to an element. Instead of saying "An element is moving quickly", say "The element is moving quickly" or "The element moves quickly."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an element is" primarily functions as a definitional statement, introducing or clarifying the nature or characteristics of a specific element. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing the phrase used extensively in defining elements across various disciplines, from science to computer science.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

Academia

20%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an element is" functions primarily as a definitional statement, commonly found in scientific and academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its role in clearly defining the nature or characteristics of a specific element. While grammatically correct and frequently used, it's important to use the phrase in appropriate definitional contexts and avoid misusing it in simple descriptive sentences. Furthermore, while alternatives exist, they often shift the emphasis, highlighting different aspects of the element's role or nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a component constitutes

Emphasizes the role of the component in forming something larger.

a unit comprises

Indicates that the unit is a constituent of a whole.

a feature represents

Focuses on the representative aspect of the feature.

a segment defines

Highlights the defining characteristic of the segment.

a part signifies

Highlights the indicative nature of the part.

a piece makes up

Emphasizes the compositional role of the piece.

a factor embodies

Suggests that the factor is a tangible expression of something.

a portion consists of

Suggests that the portion is a part of a larger collection.

a detail illustrates

Underscores the illustrative function of the detail.

a characteristic denotes

Focuses on the denotative function of the characteristic.

FAQs

How can I use "an element is" in a sentence?

Use "an element is" to introduce a definition or fundamental characteristic. For example, "In this design, an element is considered clickable if it has a drop shadow."

What are some alternatives to using "an element is"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a component constitutes", "a feature represents", or "a part signifies" to convey similar meanings while varying your writing style. See "a component constitutes", "a feature represents", or "a part signifies" for examples.

Is it grammatically correct to say "an element are"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. "Element" is singular, so it requires the singular verb "is". The correct phrase is "an element is".

When should I use "an element is" versus "the element is"?

"An element is" is used to define a general characteristic, while "the element is" refers to a specific element that has already been identified or introduced. For instance, "An element is a substance that cannot be broken down" versus "The element is located in the top right corner."