bugs

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "bugs" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to errors, glitches, or issues, often in the context of software or systems. An example: "The new update has several bugs that need to be fixed." Alternative expressions include "errors" and "glitches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the meantime, the company's stock – publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange since it took a back-door approach to an initial public offering in January, acquiring an already-public mining company in what is known as a reverse takeover – offers US gold bugs with a taste for risk and adventure another way to join the party.

The Guardian - Money

"The thing that bugs me is that allegedly the staff at the crematorium were so shocked every time they did a cremation with infant remains they told superiors," she said.

The Guardian

Bugs were placed at an address where Khyam was staying in Slough, Berkshire, and Akbar's then home in Uxbridge, west London, and in Khyam's car, and the suspects, including Khawaja who came to England for a weekend in February 2004, were followed and taped.

The Guardian

The thing that bugs me most about the way climate change is talked about in the media is journalists citing scientific papers without providing a link to the original paper.

The Guardian

"From then on, when anything went wrong with a computer, we said it had bugs in it".

The Guardian

"Australia has been very good at stopping the spread and development of these bugs thanks to strong hygiene and infection control in hospitals, and through things like vaccines.

The Guardian

At this level, it's a poised graphic object, but its eccentric repertoire of figurative imagery – mythical monsters, dismembered limbs, bugs and gargoyles – and its frantic, deranged textual contents violently contradict its formal elegance.

The Guardian - Arts

It most certainly was, via bugs hidden in the Macpherson commission office at the Elephant and Castle just as the report was being prepared.

The Guardian

The results accorded with an earlier report produced by the University of Western Sydney and Macquarie University, which found a 90% drop in the abundance of macroinvertebrates, including the water bugs stonefly, mayfly and caddisfly.

The Guardian

"One of my doctors thinks it's nanotechnology"; "I was attacked by a swarm of some type of tiny wasps that seemed to inject parts of their bodies under my skin"; "They have bugs on public transport.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Timor-Leste alleges Australia inserted bugs in the cabinet room to listen to Timorese negotiators during the talks, under the guise of a refurbishment paid for by an Australian aid program.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal research papers, prefer specific terms like "invertebrates" or "vulnerabilities" to ensure precision.

Common error

In cybersecurity contexts, do not use the term too broadly; distinguish between a benign code error and a malicious exploit to prevent misleading your readers.

Linguistic Context

The term "bugs" primarily functions as a plural noun, though it retains a significant secondary role as a verb. According to Ludwig AI, its noun form represents three main categories: biological organisms, technical defects and surveillance devices. As a verb, it describes acts of irritation or covert monitoring.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "bugs" is an exceptionally versatile term that bridges several domains of knowledge. Whether referring to "software errors" in the tech industry, "pathogenic bacteria" in medicine or "surveillance devices" in political reporting, the term provides a high level of clarity for a broad audience. According to Ludwig AI, the term is correctly used across hundreds of high-authority sources, appearing most frequently in professional journalism. While it is perfectly acceptable for news and business communication, writers should be mindful of more specific scientific alternatives like ""invertebrates"" or ""vulnerabilities"" when precision is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

software errors

More formal and specific to computing environments.

glitches

Implies a temporary or minor technical malfunction.

technical flaws

A broader term for structural or logical defects in a system.

insects

The precise biological term for many small invertebrates.

defects

A formal term used in manufacturing and quality control.

microbes

A scientific alternative for microscopic organisms like bacteria.

pathogens

Specifically refers to disease-causing microorganisms.

wiretaps

Relates specifically to the surveillance and eavesdropping sense.

annoyances

Refers to things that irritate or pester a person.

pester

The verb form focusing on the act of persistent irritation.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "bugs" in a technical report?

You can use more precise terms like "software errors", "glitches" or "system flaws".

Is "bugs" appropriate for scientific writing?

While common in journalism, scientific texts usually prefer "microorganisms", "bacteria" or "insects".

What does the term "gold bugs" mean?

In a financial context, it refers to investors who are exceptionally bullish on gold, as seen in examples from "The Guardian".

How do I use the verb form of "bugs"?

The verb means to annoy or to plant a surveillance device. For example: "The constant noise really "bugs me"."