compounds

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "compounds" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to refer to a combination of two or more elements or ingredients, or a group of buildings or entities that are closely spatially connected. For example: "The research laboratory is made up of several compounds, each containing a different set of materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On either side of the road are clean-swept living spaces, known as compounds, linked by narrow tracks.

The Guardian

The DUP's HQ looks as well guarded as many military compounds, the murals dating from the Troubles still decorate most street corners and the offices of the Ulster Volunteer Force are still well maintained.

The Guardian

As a chemistry student at Cambridge, he contributed to the war effort by evaluating whether the molecular properties of artificial rubber compounds – developed in the US to replace Malaysian plantation rubber – replicated natural rubber.

The Guardian

The morgellons particles didn't match any of the 800 fibres on their database, nor the 85,000 known organic compounds.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While pigs are a fairly decent approximation of humans in such contexts, the study failed to detect two compounds, cadaverine and putrescine, usually found in decaying human cadavers.

The Guardian

Over the last five years, we've trained more than 20 compost technicians and built over a dozen large compost sites for emergency settings, primary schools, NGO compounds, and housing projects — providing simple, clean composting toilets and on-site waste treatment for thousands of people.

The Guardian

Since it does not react with the food, drink, or the indeed the mouth, it doesn't produce new compounds and so doesn't have much of a taste.

The Guardian - Tech

By October 2013, a further 56 new compounds had already been identified: a total of 243 new drugs in just four years.

The Guardian

As dawn breathed through the sky, the tracks and compounds of Amoko were silent.

The Guardian

Working with sex workers, Abdool Karim had the idea of a HIV barrier gel that women could use to prevent themselves from HIV. She'd heard about microbicides – compounds that can be put inside the vagina or rectum to protect against sexually transmitted infections.

The Guardian

The Houston area has 38% of the total US oil refining, and its emissions, together with those from vehicles, are a key contributor to the ozone formed when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to multiple substances formed by chemical bonds, use "compounds". For physical locations consisting of multiple structures, consider more specific alternatives like "complexes" or "estates" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "compounds" when referring to general groups of items or ideas. More appropriate terms include "elements", "aspects", or "factors" to maintain clarity and precision in writing.

Linguistic Context

The term "compounds" primarily functions as a noun, referring to substances formed by two or more elements chemically bonded together. It can also denote a collection of buildings within an enclosed area, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "compounds" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a noun, denoting either chemical substances or collections of buildings. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and very common. Its register ranges from neutral to formal, with frequent appearances in news, science, and formal business contexts. For clarity, consider context-specific synonyms like ""chemical substances"" or "residential complexes" and avoid overuse in non-scientific contexts to maintain precision. Remember to choose context-appropriate alternatives to enhance clarity and avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mixtures

Highlights the combined nature of several things.

chemical substances

Focuses specifically on the chemical nature of the compounds.

combinations

Focuses on the act of combining elements.

chemical mixtures

Emphasizes the combination of different chemicals.

residential complexes

Highlights the residential aspect of multiple dwellings.

housing developments

Refers to planned areas with multiple houses.

enclosed areas

Highlights the presence of a boundary around a location.

military bases

Specifies military facilities with multiple buildings.

collection of materials

Focuses on several substances gathered together

groups of buildings

General term for collections of structures.

FAQs

How to use "compounds" in a sentence?

The term "compounds" can refer to chemical substances, as in "The laboratory analyzed the unknown "chemical substances"", or to enclosed areas, as in "The workers lived within secure "enclosed areas"".

What can I say instead of "compounds" when referring to chemical substances?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like ""chemical substances"", "chemical mixtures", or "mixtures".

What can I say instead of "compounds" when referring to a group of buildings?

You can use phrases like "residential complexes", "housing developments", or "military bases" depending on the type of buildings and their purpose.

Is "compounds" appropriate for describing non-material things?

While technically correct, it's often clearer to use alternatives like "elements", "aspects", or "factors" when describing abstract or non-physical components.