category

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "category" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of people or things having some common characteristics. For example, "The movement was divided into three categories: children, adults, and seniors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The whole category has been very euphemistic, or paternalistic even, and we're saying, enough with the euphemisms, and get over it.

The New York Times

Even so, the favourites for that category remain Kevin Spacey in American Beauty and Russell Crowe in The Insider.

The Guardian - Film

Based on the true story of the wrongful conviction of black boxer Rubin Carter, the film has been criticised for bending the facts, which may have damaged its chances, but its star, Denzel Washington, appears in the best actor category.

The Guardian - Film

The cyclone has approached from the east after crossing the Gulf of Carpentaria from Queensland's Cape York Peninsula where it made landfall as a category four storm but caused minimal damage.

The Guardian

Hilary Swank, who has already won a Golden Globe for her role in Boys Don't Cry, is one of the favourites for the best actress Oscar, a category that sees Meryl Streep win a record 12th nomination for Music of the Heart.

The Guardian - Film

In plain English, he was likely to be "mentally retarded" and fall into the very category of prisoner who the supreme court had just declared must not be executed.

The Guardian

If a true sign of a great player is an ability to have slotted into any team in any era, Collins certainly fitted that rare category.

The Guardian - Sport

In the text category, Taylor Auerbach of the Daily Telegraph has been nominated for his reports on slum landlords and Amnesty international, and Guardian Australia's own Michael Safi has been recognised for his reporting on terror and asylum seekers.

The Guardian

He won first prize in 2010 in the live news photograph of the year category for his work documenting the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

The Guardian

In the leading category she is up against Jennifer Aniston for Cake, Reese Witherspoon for Wild, Felicity Jones for The Theory of Everything, and Rosamund Pike for Gone Girl – a film for which David Fincher (that emailgate star) has a best director nomination.

The Guardian - Film

The Observer's Richard Wachman won the reporter of the year category.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "category" to clearly define groupings based on specific criteria, ensuring clarity and organization in your writing.

Common error

Avoid creating categories that are not mutually exclusive or have poorly defined boundaries. This can lead to confusion and inaccurate classification.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "category" is as a noun, representing a group or class of things sharing common characteristics. Ludwig shows numerous examples of its use in this way, consistent with its definition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "category" is a very common noun used to group items based on shared characteristics. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse contexts, especially in news and media. It serves the purpose of classifying and organizing information. When writing, ensure your categories are mutually exclusive to avoid confusion. Alternative terms include "type", "class", and "classification", offering flexibility in your word choice. "Category" remains a fundamental term for structuring information effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

classification

Focuses on the act of arranging into groups.

type

Emphasizes a distinct form or kind.

class

Indicates a division within a system of ordering.

group

Highlights a collection of items with shared attributes.

genre

Specifically refers to a type of artistic work.

division

Suggests a separation into distinct parts.

set

Implies a well-defined collection of items.

sort

Indicates a specific kind or variety.

bracket

Often used to describe a range or level within a classification.

league

Implies a level of quality or status within a system.

FAQs

How can I use "category" in a sentence?

The word "category" is used to classify something into a group that has similar qualities. For example, "This book falls into the science fiction category."

What is another word for "category"?

You can use words like "type", "class", or "classification" as alternatives to "category" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "categories" instead of "category"?

Yes, "categories" is the plural form of "category". Use "category" for singular items and "categories" for multiple groupings. For instance, "This item belongs to a specific category" versus "These items belong to different categories".

What's the difference between "category" and "classification"?

"Category" refers to a specific grouping, while "classification" is the act of assigning items to categories. So, classification is the process, and category is the result.