archives

USAGE SUMMARY

"archives" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a collection of historical documents or records, especially those kept in an institution, or a place where such information is kept. For example, "The archives at the local library contain a wealth of historical documents and books."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Jack Lieb captured the invasion on silent film for News of the Day and later narrated over the film for the archives.

The Guardian

It's followed on Wednesday by The Road to Wembley (BBC1, 11.15pm), recounting the best moments from this season, and on Saturday by FA Cup TOTP2 (BBC1, 2.05pm) when Mark Radcliffe trawls the Beeb's archives of Cup songs.

The Guardian - Sport

Jackson also said officials spent just three hours at the NUM archives in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and that there was a growing suspicion that the IPCC was content to allow its "scoping" to rumble along while the Hillsborough inquests continue.

The Guardian

Replied the long-hitting McIlroy, "If you got your swing speed over 100mph you might need spikes too... ;)" Golf historians may still be checking their archives, but so far the consensus is that Hogan and Nelson, Palmer and Nicklaus and Woods and Mickelson never had an exchange like this for millions around the world to instantly read, retweet and snicker.

The New York Times - Sports

I walked and I walked, I dug through the archives, listened to a thousand stories about Canberra – that stage for national debate, machination, intrigue and domestic life – and I thought "maybe if I just... ....... "There is no room for the novelist to exercise imagination".

The Guardian - Books

The idea that an individual editor, appointed by students to serve for a term of one year, believes they have the right to trawl through the paper's archives and delete articles they disagree with is anathema to the principles Tharunka has stood for".

The Guardian

But the archives also tell a more heartening story: an outpouring of concern and solidarity from the British public.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The 1984 cabinet papers, released to the National Archives, show that Thatcher asked for contingency plans to be drawn up to use troops to move coal stocks, despite official government policy ruling out the use of service personnel.

The Guardian

Last year there was even talk at the FCO of giving to the Armenian Genocide Museum copies of some files in the National Archives attesting to the Ottoman atrocities: this was turned down, ostensibly because the photocopying costs of £431.20 could not be afforded, but probably because the Turks would go ballistic.

The Guardian - Books

Joint policing operations on either side of the Northern Irish border, mixed north-south courts and re-partitioning were all considered in the run-up to the Anglo-Irish agreement, official government documents released to the National Archives' on Friday show.

The Guardian

Experiences of immigration to the UK is a fabulous resource by the National Archives, suitable for all ages.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to official collections of records, use "archives" to maintain a professional tone. For example, "Researchers consulted the national archives for primary source documents".

Common error

Avoid using "archive" as a singular noun when referring to a collection. Instead, use "archive" as an adjective or use the plural form "archives". For example, it's correct to say "archival research" or "the archives are extensive", not "the archive is extensive."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "archives" is that of a plural noun. As Ludwig AI states, it refers to collections of historical documents or records. Examples include "National Archives", "company archives", and "digital archives".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "archives" functions as a plural noun, referring to collections of historical documents or records. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific research. The term generally maintains a neutral to formal register and is essential for denoting the existence and availability of stored information. When writing, remember to use "archives" for collections, and avoid using "archive" as a singular noun in this context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

historical records

Focuses specifically on records with historical significance.

record repositories

Emphasizes the place where records are stored.

document collections

Highlights the collection aspect of various documents.

data storage facilities

Modern term emphasizing digital preservation.

historical collections

Highlights the historical nature and the act of collecting.

preservation centers

Focuses on the active preservation aspect.

storage repositories

General term for places where items are stored.

records management systems

Emphasizes the systematic management of records.

digital archives

Specifically refers to digital storage.

archival resources

Highlights the availability and usability of archival materials.

FAQs

How do I use "archives" in a sentence?

You can use "archives" to refer to a collection of historical documents or records, or the place where they are stored. For example, "The researcher consulted the "national archives" for primary sources."

What's a good synonym for "archives"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "historical records", "document collections", or "record repositories".

Is it correct to use "archive" as a singular noun?

While "archive" can be used as a singular noun referring to a single item within a collection, the term "archives" is generally used as a plural noun referring to the collection as a whole. For example, "the website's "digital archive"" versus "the "national archives" hold many historical documents."

What kind of information is typically found in "archives"?

"Archives" typically contain a wide range of historical documents, records, and other materials, including letters, photographs, maps, legal documents, and government records. The specific contents vary depending on the nature and purpose of the "institution's archives".