cog

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cog" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used when referring to a part of a machine or metaphorically to describe a person who plays a small but essential role in a larger system. Example: "In the grand scheme of the project, I felt like just a cog in the machine, but every cog is necessary for the whole to function."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Work on Cog ended in 2004, but Cog did learn some rudimentary skills, such as recognizing animate objects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The outwardly turned wings in Müller-Lyer display shift the COG outward from each vertex, while the inwardly turned wings in this figure shift the COG inward.

SEP

The focus on productivity and employability doesn't factor in time for taking care of yourself: you're a cog in the university system, being prepped for becoming a cog in the working world.

The Guardian

You may be one of the creatives, but to everyone else you are another cog in the machine.

The Guardian

The Nazis did catch her (thinking she was a small cog, not the linchpin of the rescue scheme) but did not find the files, secreted in a friend's armpit.

The Economist

ReprintsThe Bundesbank, once renowned defender of the mighty Deutschmark, is today just a cog in the European system of central banks.

The Economist

Nothing more than the crunch of gears as the present cycle came to the end of its easy upswing phase and dropped a cog ready for its plodding second phase.Same old cycle, just fasterFor two centuries, each new surge of economic activity has come in three distinct phases.

The Economist

WITH A MAXIMUM speed of 430kph (267mph), the Shanghai magnetic-levitation (or maglev) train is as much fairground ride as vital cog in the city's transport system.

The Economist

A critical cog in the re-employment machine, though, is pay.

The Economist

After a quarter-century of growth that turned structured finance from a capital-market cog into an engine of growth, their business has been buckled by the crash in subprime mortgages and the successive blows throughout credit markets.

The Economist

He stands at Coolmore stud in County Tipperary in Ireland, and has inevitably become a large cog in the secretive world of Irish racing.In an average year Sadler's Wells earns 15m Irish guineas ($21.5m)—some years a little less, some years considerably more an income that puts the wage of a top-class footballer into perspective.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cog" metaphorically to describe a person, ensure the context clearly indicates that they are a small but essential part of a larger system. This emphasizes their role's importance within the overall structure.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating an individual's significance by describing them as a "cog" if their role is actually central or highly influential. The term implies being a replaceable component, not a key decision-maker.

Linguistic Context

The word "cog" functions primarily as a noun, referring either to a tooth on a gear or, metaphorically, to a person or element within a larger system. Ludwig confirms its proper usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

26%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Independent

4%

OtherRelated

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "cog", as identified by Ludwig AI, is grammatically sound and widely utilized as a noun. Functioning both literally as a component in machinery and metaphorically as a part of a larger system, its register remains generally neutral. The most frequent usage appears in "News & Media" and "Encyclopedias", making it versatile across multiple domains. When using "cog" metaphorically, be mindful of potentially diminishing an individual's importance. As Ludwig examples showcase, it's most effective when emphasizing the necessity of even seemingly small roles within a complex organization. The word presents no grammatical issues, is generally correct, and its meaning is clear across contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gear

A more general term referring to a toothed wheel in a machine.

component

Refers to a part or element of a larger system or machine, similar to a cog's function.

element

Similar to component but can also refer to an abstract or essential part.

part

A general term for a piece of something larger, interchangeable in many contexts.

factor

Refers to something that contributes to a result or outcome, often in a process.

piece

A fragment or segment of something, resembling a cog's role in a whole.

unit

A single, complete entity that can be part of a larger system.

segment

A portion or division of something; similar to a cog's specific role.

module

A self-contained component that can be used with other components.

member

Referring to a person within an organization, when "cog" is used metaphorically.

FAQs

How is "cog" typically used in a sentence?

The word "cog" is often used to describe a component in a machine or, metaphorically, a person or entity that plays a small but necessary role in a larger organization or system. For example, "He felt like just a "cog in the machine"".

What are some synonyms for "cog" when referring to a mechanical component?

When referring to a mechanical component, synonyms for "cog" include "gear", "tooth", or "sprocket".

Can "cog" be used to describe a person's role?

Yes, "cog" can be used metaphorically to describe a person's role in a larger organization, often implying that they are a small but necessary part of the whole. This usage suggests that while their individual contribution may seem minor, it is essential for the functioning of the system. The term can also imply a lack of individual agency or recognition.

What's the difference between "cog" and "component"?

"Cog" specifically refers to a tooth on a wheel or gear, or metaphorically, a small but necessary part of a system. "Component", on the other hand, is a more general term referring to any part or element of a larger whole. Therefore, while a "cog" can be a component, not all components are "cogs".