article

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "article" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a written piece of work, usually non-fiction, where the writer presents their opinion, research, or analysis on a particular topic. For example, "I recently read an interesting article about the history of art."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This article was amended on 16 April 2015 to correct a quote from Nick Clegg.

The Guardian

The traffic reduction project This article is part of the Live Better Community Project month.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Any comment declaring how you cast your vote will be removed by moderators owing to restrictions on polls and reporting, set out in article 66A of the Representation of the People Act 1983.

The Guardian - Opinion

You can read the full article here.

The New York Times

This is an article from our Guardian Sport Network This article first appeared on The 99.4 Cricket Blog Follow Gary Naylor on Twitter.

The Guardian - Sport

This article was commissioned as part of the Guardian's Citizen Reporting Programme.

The Guardian

Email [email protected] if you want to contribute an article to this debate.

The Guardian

Read the whole article.

The Economist

This is protected under the speech or debate clause in Article I of the US constitution.

The Guardian

A Washington Post article published on Wednesday revealed vague details of a police document that quoted a prisoner who had been placed in the same police van as Gray – though in a separate compartment – as saying Gray had been "trying to injure himself".

The Guardian

This article has been amended to make clear that the MSF report marks the first anniversary of the date of the official outbreak of Ebola in west Africa.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "article" to refer to a piece of writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean a news "article", a scholarly "article", or a component of a legal document.

Common error

Avoid using "article" when referring to a physical object or artifact. While "article" can mean an object, it's more commonly understood as a piece of writing. Use "artefact" or "item" for physical objects to prevent misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "article" is as a noun, referring to a piece of writing in a publication or a clause in a formal document. Ludwig shows that it functions to identify specific content within various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "article" is a very common noun with multiple meanings, primarily referring to a piece of writing or a section in a formal document. As Ludwig confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to legal and academic writing. While generally grammatically correct, it's essential to distinguish its meaning from similar-sounding words like "artefact" to avoid confusion. When writing, consider the intended audience and context to ensure clarity, as the formality level of "article" can vary. Whether you're referring to a news "article", a scholarly paper, or a legal clause, understanding its nuances ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

report

This term refers to a formal account of something, often based on investigation or research, similar to an article but may imply a more structured or official document.

feature

This term describes a prominent or noteworthy article, often in a magazine or newspaper.

paper

This word is often used in academic contexts to describe a research document, sharing similarities with "article" when referring to scholarly publications.

composition

Suggests a structured piece of writing, often used in academic or creative contexts, similar to an article.

story

This term is commonly used in journalism to refer to a news item or feature, akin to an "article" in a newspaper or magazine.

piece

This refers to a written work or essay, similar to an "article" in newspapers or magazines.

clause

This refers to a specific section within a legal or formal document, comparable to an "article" in a contract or constitution.

column

Describes a recurring opinion or commentary piece, found in a newspaper or magazine, which is one type of article.

section

This denotes a distinct part of a written text, like an "article" within a larger document.

item

This describes a single piece in a collection or list, somewhat similar to an "article" when referring to a specific component.

FAQs

How to use "article" in a sentence?

You can use "article" in a sentence to refer to a piece of writing, such as "I read an interesting "article" about climate change" or to a clause in a legal document, like "Article 5 of the treaty outlines the terms of engagement".

What can I say instead of "article"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "report", "paper", "story", or "section".

Which is correct, "an article" or "a article"?

The correct form is "an article". The indefinite "article" "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "article" and "essay"?

While both are forms of written works, an "article" often implies a journalistic or informative piece, whereas an "essay" typically presents a more personal argument or analysis on a specific topic.