chains of letters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chains of letters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe sequences or arrangements of letters, often in contexts related to language, coding, or cryptography. Example: "The password was a complex series of chains of letters that made it difficult to guess."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's easy to imagine them being haunted by chains of letters constantly charging through hyperactive minds.

Independent

Dr. Milgram, who died in 1984, called his study the Small World Problem and wound up with 60 completed chains of letters that averaged six senders.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Brown rejects the idea of his son's life "reduced to a typing error in a three-billion-long chain of letters".

The New York Times - Books

It's been an interesting chain of letters.

Los Angeles Times

In the different atom-type E-state index, the set of bonds to a skeletal atom is given by a chain of lowercase letters: s (single), d (double), t (triple), and a (aromatic).

Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology

Fifty years later, the life of the speech is still sadly crippled by the manacles of corporate ownership and the chains of take-down letters.

Huffington Post

So for our collaborative word problem tonight, let's do one that we've seen before as an analog of the de Bruijn sequence in "The Math Behind The Magic": You have to construct the longest possible chain of 3-letter words where the second word begins with the last two letters of the first word.

The New York Times

While these sorts of chain letters might seem like a pretty trivial form of fake news to worry about, the problem of false rumors spreading like lightning across WhatsApp's platform has been linked to far more serious consequences.

TechCrunch

They can sell their paintings by the metre, post their works in the form of chain letters, make art that cannot be bought because it melts, burns, explodes or never existed as a tangible object in the first place.

The Guardian - Arts

That's all fine and dandy – no harm in having fun – and I realize well that Twitter's trending topics are not necessarily required to be giving you and me an overview of stuff that really matters, but I can't help but think it's a pity that that list is starting to turn into the top 10 of chain letters people used to circulate through e-mail messages in the late nineties.

TechCrunch

Before the site was updated, there was no character limit for questions or answers, but this allowed the creation of chain letters, so the administrators decided to set a character limit.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chains of letters" to describe sequences where the connection or order of the letters is important, especially in contexts like passwords, codes, or DNA sequences.

Common error

Avoid using "chains of letters" to describe unrelated or unordered groups of letters. The phrase implies a specific sequence or linkage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chains of letters" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It often acts as a descriptor, specifying the nature of a sequence or arrangement of letters. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a usable phrase in English. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "chains of letters" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term to describe sequences or arrangements of letters, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general reference, and its usage implies a sequential and often interconnected arrangement. While alternatives like ""sequences of characters"" or "strings of characters" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a sequential relationship among the letters to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sequences of characters

Focuses on the individual elements and their order, similar to "chains of letters".

strings of characters

Implies a linear arrangement of characters, close in meaning to "chains of letters".

series of symbols

Broader term including non-letter symbols, but related to the idea of a sequence.

concatenation of letters

Highlights the joining or linking of letters, similar to a chain.

linked letters

Emphasizes the connection between letters, suggesting a chain-like structure.

alphanumeric sequences

Specifically refers to sequences including both letters and numbers.

text strings

A general term for a sequence of text characters.

letter combinations

Focuses on the arrangement of letters together, rather than a chain.

character arrays

A technical term, particularly in programming, for a sequence of characters.

letter patterns

Refers to recurring arrangements or designs formed by letters.

FAQs

How can I use "chains of letters" in a sentence?

You can use "chains of letters" to describe a specific sequence or arrangement of letters, such as "The password consisted of complex "sequences of characters"" or "The genetic code is composed of long "letter combinations" that determine our traits".

What can I say instead of "chains of letters"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like ""sequences of characters"", "strings of characters", or even ""letter combinations"".

Is "chains of letters" formal or informal?

The phrase "chains of letters" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in technical or descriptive writing. Its appropriateness depends on the specific setting and audience.

When is it appropriate to use the term "chains of letters" over other alternatives?

Use "chains of letters" when you want to emphasize the sequential and interconnected nature of the letters. If the order or specific linkage isn't important, a more general term like ""letter combinations"" might be more suitable.