concrete

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "concrete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as an adjective, noun, or verb. For example: "He poured a concrete foundation for his new shed." "The bridge was built with concrete pillars." "I'm trying to concrete my thoughts into a cohesive plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr David Wilkie, aged 35, was killed when a concrete block and a four foot long concrete post were dropped on his car from a bridge 20 feet above the A465 Heads of the Valleys road near Merthyr Tydfil.

The Guardian

Can somebody show me concrete numbers on that?

The Guardian

At the heart of the concrete and brick labyrinth of Milton Keynes, hard by Midsummer Boulevard, a certified national treasure has been identified.

The Guardian - Arts

Although much mocked, especially for its concrete cows (given by artist Liz Leyh), the town also had admirers from the start.

The Guardian - Arts

A glowing green disc hovers high in the sky at night, casting an eerie glow over a forest of minarets, cranes and concrete frames that seem to stretch endlessly into the dusty distance, like a vast field of dominoes.

The Guardian - Arts

Covering more than 92,000 sq metres (1m sq ft), it is packed with supercomputers operated by codebreakers and data miners who work behind concrete and limestone walls that are up to 2.5 metres (8ft) thick.

The Guardian

The polls were always likely to be subject to bias, and now we have learnt that this bias proved all-important More concrete still, what if the sort of person who only ever thinks about politics once every five years, whose vote might turn on a hazy sense of which leader they most trust not to screw up the economy, is disinclined to join internet panels?

The Guardian - Opinion

"That problem has been temporarily rectified by the local authority paying for a concrete specialist company to simply knock off the crumbling concrete and painting the exposed metal underneath".

The Guardian

A simple timber box, it showed how the rambling concrete terraces of the Southbank Centre can be enlivened with nimble intervention – proving they don't really need to be smothered with giant glass containers of shops and restaurants.

The Guardian - Arts

Moscow could grant Greece privileged import access, thereby generating revenue for struggling companies back home and allowing Tsipras to present a concrete result to his voters.

The Guardian

There are two accepted ways of roughing the ball, leaving aside the obvious one of it getting pounded into the concrete stands.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Using "concrete" can strengthen your writing by providing vivid and specific details. Replace abstract ideas with "concrete" examples to make your points more compelling and easier to understand.

Common error

Avoid using "concrete" to describe purely abstract concepts that lack any physical or tangible component. Overusing the word may confuse readers and dilute the intended impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "concrete" serves multiple grammatical functions. Primarily, it functions as an adjective to describe nouns that are tangible and real. It also acts as a noun, referring to the building material. As a verb, it denotes the action of making something solid or covering with concrete. Ludwig AI confirms its versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Arts

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "concrete" is a versatile term used as an adjective, noun, and verb. It signifies tangibility, reality, and specificity. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Predominantly found in News & Media, Arts and Sport contexts, "concrete" ensures clarity and grounded communication across various registers. Related terms include "tangible", "real", and "specific". Employ "concrete" effectively by using it for verifiable things and avoiding overly abstract applications. By being precise and detailed, Ludwig can improve the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tangible

Focuses on the quality of being perceptible through touch.

real

Emphasizes the existence of something in the physical world.

specific

Highlights the detailed and defined nature of information.

definite

Indicates a clear and unambiguous quality.

practical

Stresses the usefulness and applicability of something.

solid

Implies firmness and stability.

actual

Highlights the factual and existing state of something.

precise

Emphasizes accuracy and exactness.

material

Relates to the physical substance of something.

identifiable

Indicates that something can be recognized or distinguished.

FAQs

How can I use "concrete" in a sentence?

You can use "concrete" as a noun, adjective, or verb. For example: "The road was made of "concrete"" (noun), "We need "concrete" evidence" (adjective), or "They decided to "concrete" the area" (verb).

What are some synonyms for "concrete" when referring to tangible things?

When referring to something tangible, you can use synonyms like "tangible", "real", or "physical".

Is it correct to use "concrete" in a figurative sense?

Yes, "concrete" can be used figuratively to describe something specific and well-defined, as opposed to abstract or vague. For instance, "We need "specific" proposals, not just general ideas."

What is the difference between "concrete" and "abstract"?

"Concrete" refers to something that is tangible, real, or specific, while "abstract" refers to something that is conceptual, theoretical, or not easily defined.