element

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "element" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word when referring to the basic components of something, or to refer to a single part in a larger system. For example, "The main elements of a successful business strategy are marketing, leadership and financial planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Arts

Politics

Sport

Social Care

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Without her taking a side, it cast just the right element of doubt over the nature of the decision".

The Guardian

The review of Prevent in 2011 led to funding for fewer areas and removing the community-based element.

The Guardian

And he intends to be a key element in pre-season title favourites Warwickshire's bid to emulate their 2012 success after snubbing a call up from New Zealand.

The Guardian - Sport

He supports a "European" element in national unemployment benefits schemes, aimed at softening the impact of mass unemployment in large parts of particularly southern Europe and especially among the young.

The Guardian

She seems in her element among rural voters, all smiles, pearls and a sweater slung over her shoulders.

The Guardian

The support of McCain offered a welcome boost for Romney, though the surprise element had been lost after the website Buzzfeed broke the story on Tuesday night as the votes were still being counted in Iowa.

The Guardian

Squeezing Isis cash is an important element of the overall strategy, officials say.

The Guardian

Related: Stop treating adoption as the only option for children in care Nina Biehal, professor of social work at the University of York, says: "The key element of these reforms is increasing the level of qualifications among staff in children's homes more generally, not just the new training on child sexual exploitation".

The Guardian

A lot of break-ups seem to have an element of bereavement and we don't know very much about grief in the brain.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A "really long tube slide" was the element over which she refused to budge.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The use of barley as the ultimate foundation stone of measurement appears to be another universal element (alongside the forearm, the foot and the breadth of a finger), so that, for instance, you will find it underwriting the system of measurements used by the Vikings.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "element" to refer to a fundamental part or aspect of a larger whole, ensuring the context clearly indicates its role and contribution.

Common error

Avoid using "element" when referring to general ideas or concepts that are not specifically components of a larger system or structure. Use more general terms like "aspect" or "factor" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "element" is as a noun, referring to a fundamental part or component of something. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts such as "an element of doubt" or "a key element of the strategy".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Lifestyle

15%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Politics

8%

Sport

5%

Social Care

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "element" is a versatile noun that denotes a fundamental component or aspect of something larger. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. As a noun, it functions to identify specific parts within diverse contexts ranging from "news & media" to "lifestyle" articles. When using "element", ensure it clearly refers to a constituent part of a greater whole, avoiding its misuse for general concepts where terms like "aspect" or "factor" might be more appropriate. Remember, "element" helps to highlight a specific piece within a complex system.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

component

Focuses on the part that combines with others to form a whole.

constituent

Emphasizes being a necessary part of a whole.

factor

Highlights its contribution to a result or outcome.

ingredient

Implies it is used as part of a mixture.

aspect

Refers to a particular feature or side of something.

portion

Highlights that it is part of a total amount or quantity.

feature

Focuses on a distinctive attribute or characteristic.

segment

Refers to a specific division or section of something.

detail

Emphasizes its role as a small part of something larger.

characteristic

Highlights a typical or distinctive quality.

FAQs

How can I use "element" in a sentence?

You can use "element" to refer to a basic component or principle. For example, "Trust is a crucial "element" in any successful relationship".

What are some alternatives to the word "element"?

Depending on the context, you can use "component", "factor", or "aspect" as alternatives to "element".

Is it correct to say 'an element of doubt'?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. "An "element" of doubt" signifies a small amount of uncertainty or skepticism.

What's the difference between "element" and "factor"?

"Element" refers to a basic part of a whole, while "factor" implies something that contributes to a result. While sometimes interchangeable, "factor" emphasizes influence, whereas "element" emphasizes composition.