below is an sample

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "below is an sample" is not correct in English.
It should be "below is a sample." You can use this phrase when introducing an example or illustration that follows in the text. Example: "Below is a sample of the report we discussed in the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Depicted above and below is an sample urban diary of a Seattle walk from the city's Madrona neighborhood to Lake Washington and back, across both the public and private domains.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Below is a sample.

The New York Times

Below is a sample output.

Cornell University

Below is a sample of such courses.

Columbia University

Also below is a sample stakeholder letter.

Cornell University

Below is a sample of experiments run in previous years.

Columbia University

Below is a sample of some of our current work.

Yale University

Below is a sample academic calendar for each semester.

Cornell University

She presents a long list of them, and below is a sample of the responses.

The New York Times

Below is a sample of the many discounts – for a full list please click here.

University of California, Berkeley

Below is a sample wiring of the ULN2003 to a stepper motor.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct article "a" instead of "an" before words that begin with a consonant sound, such as "sample". "Below is a sample" is grammatically correct.

Common error

Avoid using "an" before words starting with a consonant sound. Using "an sample" instead of "a sample" is a common mistake; double-check your article usage for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "below is an sample" is intended to introduce an example or illustration that the writer will present subsequently. However, it's grammatically incorrect and should be corrected to "below is a sample". The provided example in Ludwig shows the intended function, but uses incorrect grammar.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

34%

News & Media

57%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "below is an sample" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "below is a sample". Ludwig AI indicates that this error arises from the misuse of the article "an" before a word starting with a consonant sound. While the intended purpose is to introduce an example or illustration, this grammatical mistake detracts from the phrase's effectiveness, particularly in formal writing. Always ensure correct article usage to maintain clarity and credibility. Alternatives like "here is a sample" may also be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

below is a sample

Corrects the grammatical error by using the indefinite article 'a' instead of 'an' before the consonant 's'.

here is a sample

Replaces "below" with "here", offering a more direct way to present a sample.

the following is a sample

Adds "the following" for emphasis, indicating what comes next is a sample.

a sample is shown below

Rearranges the sentence to emphasize the sample and its location.

an example is shown below

Replaces 'sample' with 'example', providing a slightly different nuance.

a demonstration is provided below

Substitutes "sample" with "demonstration", suitable when illustrating a process or function.

refer to the sample below

Uses an imperative tone, directing the reader to look at the sample.

please see the sample below

Adds a polite request for the reader to view the sample.

the attached is a sample

Indicates the sample is separate but included, like in an email attachment.

we have included a sample below

Highlights the inclusion of the sample by the speaker or writer.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "below is a sample"?

The correct phrasing is "below is a sample". Using the article "a" is appropriate because "sample" begins with a consonant sound. The phrase introduces an example or illustration that follows.

What can I say instead of "below is an sample"?

Since "below is an sample" is grammatically incorrect, you can use alternatives like "below is a sample", "here is a sample", or "the following is a sample".

Is it correct to say "below is a sample" or "below is an example"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they use different nouns. "Below is a sample" introduces a typical instance. "Below is an example" presents a specific instance illustrating a point.

What's the difference between "below is a sample" and "below is an example"?

"Below is a sample" refers to a representative item, while "below is an example" refers to a specific case that illustrates a broader concept. The choice depends on whether you're offering a typical instance or a particular illustration.