eight

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "eight" is a perfectly acceptable and usable word in written English.
You may use it as a noun, verb, or adjective. For example, "Today I ate eight pieces of pizza for lunch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Of the country's 44 referendums, only eight have succeeded.

The Guardian

The displaced groups were expected to be living in the tents for up to eight weeks and authorities won't know until Cyclone Nathan has passed whether damage caused is likely to extend that.

The Guardian

Justin Henry was eight when he was nominated for the 1979 film Kramer vs Kramer, and Anna Paquin won one for The Piano when she too was 11.

The Guardian - Film

You spend seven or eight years working on something, and then it's copied.

The Guardian - Tech

In consumer electronics, the average product is replaced in just eight months.

The Economist

Read more stories like this: Five memorable movements in public health Eight ways to end Aids within a generation Uganda's tobacco laws could see farmers' livelihoods go up in smoke Advertisement feature: 10 breakthrough innovations Join our community of development professionals and humanitarians.

The Guardian

Within five minutes Laszlo Kiss was allowed to trap a ball from a corner and turn eight yards from the Salvadoran goal before firing past Mora to make it 6-1.

The Guardian - Sport

Downing Street also struggled as it emerged that: Of the two million net migrants to the UK from the eight eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004, just 13,000 people have claimed jobseeker's allowance (JSA).

The Guardian

A judge accepted Whelan's offer to submit his passport and imposed conditions that prevented the executive from leaving the city for more than eight consecutive days without communicating his absence.

The Guardian - Sport

By eight points, 45% to 37%, people agree the party "has enough talented people to form a government".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Today there are three.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "eight" in technical writing, ensure clarity by specifying the units of measurement (e.g., "eight meters", "eight seconds").

Common error

Avoid the common mistake of using "ate" (the past tense of "eat") when you mean "eight". Always double-check your spelling to ensure accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "eight" is as a numeral adjective modifying a noun, indicating quantity. It can also function as a noun referring to the number itself. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a perfectly acceptable and usable word in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "eight" functions primarily as a numeral, denoting a specific quantity. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically sound and widely accepted. Occurring most frequently in "News & Media" and "Sport" contexts, its communicative purpose is to quantify and enumerate. When writing, ensure you don't confuse "eight" with "ate". Alternatives include phrases like "the number 8" or "a total of eight". Overall, "eight" is a versatile and frequently used term in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the number 8

Explicitly states the numeral, clarifying that you're referring to the digit itself.

a total of eight

Emphasizes the sum or quantity being discussed.

seven plus one

Breaks down the number into its components.

the octet

Uses a more formal term for a group of eight.

approximately eight

Indicates an estimation close to eight.

around eight

Similar to 'approximately', indicating a number near eight.

almost a decade

Relates eight to a larger unit of ten.

nearly eight

Implies approaching the quantity of eight.

a handful

An estimation, it can describe "eight" if the speaker is referring to an amount that is of approximate value.

few

The word “few” is synonymous to describing “eight”, if the speaker is referring to an amount that is of approximate value.

FAQs

How to use "eight" in a sentence?

You can use "eight" as a numeral to indicate a quantity, such as "There are eight apples on the table." It can also be used as a noun, referring to the digit itself.

What can I say instead of "eight"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "the number 8", "a total of eight", or "approximately eight".

Is it correct to write out numbers like "eight" or use the numeral "8"?

Both are correct, but style guides often recommend spelling out numbers one through nine. For larger numbers, numerals are generally preferred for clarity. However, consistency within a document is key.

What's the difference between "eighth" and "eight"?

"Eight" is a cardinal number representing a quantity, while "eighth" is an ordinal number indicating position in a sequence (e.g., the eighth day of the month).