chemical compound

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chemical compound" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a substance formed from two or more elements that are chemically bonded together. Example: "Water is a chemical compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen atoms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Chemical alteration by an organism of a chemical compound.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

See chemical compound: Inorganic compounds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That's not a rock band or a chemical compound.

The New York Times

Tonka gets its fragrance from a chemical compound called coumarin.

Independent

A chemical compound used for abortions may seem an odd candidate for a depression drug.

The New York Times - Health

This company claims to be Asia's largest producer of the chemical compound menadione, or vitamin K3.

The Guardian

Wellbutrin and Zyban are the same chemical compound, but they are sold as different treatments.

The New York Times

A Coast Guard plane dropped a chemical compound to break up the oil.

The New York Times

When attacked by an insect, many plants release a specific chemical compound.

The Guardian

He was having problems synthesising picric acid, a chemical compound used as an explosive.

The Guardian

Almost every known chemical compound will dissolve in water to a small (but detectable) extent.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "chemical compounds", specify the type of compound (e.g., organic, inorganic, molecular) if the context requires precision. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "chemical compound" when you mean "chemical element". An element is a pure substance consisting of only one type of atom, while a compound is formed when two or more elements are chemically bonded together.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chemical compound" functions primarily as a noun, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chemical compound" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase used to refer to substances formed by the union of two or more elements. It is most frequently found in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a formal and technical register. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and widespread use of this term. For more general references, "chemical substance" can be used. When using the phrase "chemical compound", be precise in specifying the type of compound if necessary, and avoid confusing it with the term "chemical element".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chemical substance

Replaces "compound" with "substance", focusing on the material aspect.

chemical species

Substitutes "compound" with "species", emphasizing the distinct type of chemical entity.

molecular compound

Adds specificity by highlighting the molecular nature of the compound.

chemical element combination

Rephrases the concept emphasizing the combination of elements.

inorganic compound

Specifies the compound type as inorganic.

organic compound

Specifies the compound type as organic.

chemical composition

Focuses on the makeup or constitution of a substance.

molecular structure

Shifts the focus to the arrangement of atoms in a molecule.

chemical formulation

Highlights the way a compound is prepared or created.

chemical mixture

Indicates a blend of different chemical entities, without necessarily involving chemical bonds.

FAQs

How is a "chemical compound" different from a mixture?

A "chemical compound" is formed when two or more elements are chemically bonded together in a fixed ratio. A mixture, on the other hand, is a combination of substances that are not chemically bonded and can be separated by physical means.

What are some examples of common "chemical compounds"?

Examples of common "chemical compounds" include water (H2O), sodium chloride (NaCl), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2).

What's the difference between "organic compound" and "inorganic compound"?

An "organic compound" typically contains carbon and hydrogen, while an "inorganic compound" generally does not. However, there are exceptions to this rule.

Can "chemical compounds" be broken down into simpler substances?

Yes, "chemical compounds" can be broken down into simpler substances (elements or other compounds) through chemical reactions. This process involves breaking the chemical bonds that hold the compound together.