clam

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "clam" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word "clam" to refer to a type of bivalve mollusk with two hinged shells. For example, you might write, "The beach was full of clams that we could collect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I stand at the far end of the market watching fishmongers drink cheap beer and dice up clam or salmon ceviche for £3 a portion.

The Guardian - Travel

Its base is dashi, a stock made from kelp and dried bonito flakes that is fundamental to Japanese cuisine, here increased in value by the addition of clam liquor and the faint smokiness of an accompanying bit of grilled lobster.

The New York Times - Food

For my first meal Tapia prepares his favourite local dish, a curanto, which could be considered the Rolls-Royce of clam bakes.

The Guardian - Travel

We clamp the leather in a wooden vice, a "stitching clam", and using an awl (a small knife) we make holes in the leather along the marks – needles alone aren't enough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Head to Chauncey Creek (16 Chauncey Creek Road, Kittery Point, 001 207 439 1030, chaunceycreek.com), a simple BYO shack on a pontoon off route 103, for £2 clam chowder, half a dozen cherrystones (large clams) at £4 and, if you're still hungry after that, lobster at market price.

The Guardian - Travel

He works on clams and is building robot versions of them to find out how the shape of an animal's shell affects its chances of survival.Many types of clam escape predators by burrowing into the sea bed using alternating movements of their shell and of the soft, muscular foot contained within that shell.

The Economist

When investors asked detailed financial questions of its founder and boss, however, he would clam up.

The Economist

To protect clam beds, cars were banned from a stretch of beach.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Yet Ms Kagan must have noticed that Judge Bork, who made no secret of his views, was not confirmed, whereas the clam-like Justice Ginsburg was, by 96 votes to three.The nominee's career has been marked by frenzied networking and few publicly expressed opinions.

The Economist

A pioneer in design, Nokia lost its edge when it failed to anticipate the popularity of slim "clam-shell" phones.

The Economist

Patrick Kennedy, the Democrats' leading soft-money man, invites fat cats for weekends of clam-baking at the Kennedy family compound in Hyannisport.Is the fact that 52 senators voted for Mr McCain's bill on Tuesday a sign that the days of soft money are numbered?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about food, specify the type of "clam" if relevant (e.g., "soft-shell clam", "razor clam") for clarity.

Common error

Don't use "clam" as a catch-all term for all bivalves. Different types have distinct characteristics, so be specific when possible.

Linguistic Context

The word "clam" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a type of bivalve mollusk. Ludwig AI confirms this. It can also be used as part of a verb phrase, such as "clam up", meaning to become silent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

34%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "clam" is a common noun referring to a bivalve mollusk. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary grammatical function is as a noun. It's frequently used in contexts related to food, marine biology, and coastal activities. The phrase also appears in the idiom "clam up", meaning to become silent. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its presence in diverse sources, including news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, reflecting its wide-ranging usage. Specifying the type of "clam" enhances clarity in writing. Overall, "clam" is a versatile and well-understood term in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bivalve mollusk

This alternative is a more formal and scientific way to refer to a "clam".

shellfish

This alternative broadens the category to include other edible shelled sea creatures.

hard-shell clam

This alternative specifies a type of "clam" known for its hard shell.

soft-shell clam

This alternative specifies a type of "clam" known for its soft shell.

cherrystone clam

This alternative refers to a specific size and type of quahog clam.

littleneck clam

This alternative refers to a smaller size of quahog clam, commonly eaten.

quahog

This alternative is another name for a hard-shell clam, often used in New England.

razor clam

This alternative refers to a long, narrow type of clam that resembles a razor.

gaper clam

This alternative is another name for a horse clam

clam up

This alternative changes the meaning to a verb phrase indicating silence or refusal to speak.

FAQs

How to use "clam" in a sentence?

You can use "clam" as a noun to refer to the shellfish. For example, "We went clamming at the beach" or "I ordered clam chowder at the restaurant."

What can I say instead of "clam" when referring to shellfish?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "shellfish", "bivalve mollusk", or specify the type of clam like "quahog" or "razor clam".

Which is correct, "clam chowder" or "clams chowder"?

"Clam chowder" is correct. "Clams chowder" is grammatically incorrect; "clam" functions as an adjective describing the chowder.

What does it mean to "clam up"?

To "clam up" means to suddenly become silent or refuse to talk, often due to shyness or discomfort.