clips

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'clips' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a device to hold two or more objects together, such as two pieces of paper, or sections of hair. Example sentence: I was so pleased with my new haircut, I had to buy some clips to keep it in place.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We were able to capture short video clips of lesula behaving naturally in the wild.

The Guardian

My favourites this year include Ballad of the Miners' Strike (March, Radio 2), a hugely moving and important testimony woven with folk music, archive clips and much warmth.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We generate nominees by viewer survey, and that came in the top five, but the only way it works is if we get the clips.

The Guardian - Film

Given the allegations about what he was up to backstage, it is chilling to watch old Top of the Pops clips in which Savile hugs young girls too close.

The Guardian - Opinion

Check out the other clips for a look at how the president does in the town hall format.

The Guardian

According to the UK source: "Not so long ago, this was all about attaching crocodile clips to copper wires.

The Guardian

Viewers who took part in the research were shown a total of 15 clips including a gang fight in EastEnders and the controversial Hollyoaks railway line death.

The Guardian

Video clips from local news stations show a charismatic woman.

The Guardian - Opinion

Grabyo's technology allows broadcasters and rights holders of video content to capture and edit clips in real-time to then swiftly put them on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.

The Guardian

He is part of the sketch team Derrick Comedy, whose YouTube clips have accumulated more than 30m views, nearly 9m of which are for a sketch about "bro rape".

The Guardian - Music

The usually biting BBC programme remembered its sometime presenter and panellist by showing clips of his early and latest appearances.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance readability, consider rephrasing sentences that overuse the word "clips" with alternatives such as "excerpts" or "segments".

Common error

Ensure the context clarifies whether you're referring to video segments or physical fastening devices to prevent misinterpretations. If necessary, use more specific terms like "video clips" or "paper clips".

Linguistic Context

The word "clips" primarily functions as a noun, referring either to short segments of video or audio, or to physical objects used for fastening things together. Ludwig indicates it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis confirms that "clips" is a versatile and commonly used noun, applicable to both media segments and fastening devices. Ludwig AI states its usability and correctness in written English. The primary contexts of use are in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science. While the word is generally neutral in register, clarity is essential to avoid ambiguity, especially in contexts where it could refer to either media segments or physical fasteners. Considering alternatives like "excerpts", "segments", and more specific terms such as "video clips" or "paper clips" can improve precision. Top authoritative sources include The Guardian and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

video segments

Focuses specifically on video content, highlighting the segmented nature.

short excerpts

Emphasizes brevity and selection from a larger work.

film snippets

Specifically refers to short portions of films.

sound bites

Refers to short audio segments, often used in media.

attachments

Highlights the act of fastening or joining things together.

fasteners

Focuses on the hardware aspect of clips, referring to them as devices that hold things together.

holding devices

Describes the function of clips as tools for securing items.

grips

Refers to the holding power of clips, especially in a temporary context.

clasps

Suggests a more formal or secure type of clip, often found on jewelry or bags.

appendages

Highlights the clip as an additional part or component.

FAQs

How can I use the word "clips" in a sentence?

The word "clips" can refer to short video segments, as in "The broadcast featured "video clips" from the event", or to physical fasteners, as in "She used "hair clips" to keep her hair in place".

What are some alternatives to calling something "clips"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "excerpts", "segments", "snippets", or, if referring to fasteners, "clasps", "grips", or "fasteners".

Is it correct to use "clips" to refer to both video segments and fastening devices?

Yes, "clips" can refer to both video segments and physical fasteners. The context usually makes the intended meaning clear. However, using more specific terms like "video clips" or "paper clips" can prevent ambiguity.

What is the difference between "clips" and "excerpts"?

"Clips" often refers to short video or audio segments. While "excerpts" can refer to segments from various forms of media, they are more frequently used to refer to text or literature.