figure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "figure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a numerical value, a diagram, or to describe the act of calculating or estimating something. Example: "Can you please figure out the total cost of the project?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The correct figure is 74%.

The Guardian

It's not hard to figure out why.

The New York Times - Food

In Lebanon the figure is closer to 14 percent.

The New York Times

By 2008, that figure had fallen to 26.

The New York Times

Your job is to figure out how everybody in the country has a fair shot.

The New York Times

The way I figure it, the one terrorist in England with a sense of humor, a man known as Khalid the Droll, had said to the cell, 'I bet I can get them all to take off their shoes in airports.' So this prankster set up poor impressionable Reid and won his bet.

The Economist

By 1990 that figure had risen to $1 trillion.

The Economist

(Saying that, if you had that face and figure you'd look good in a bin-liner. I'm now trying to remember if she ever wore a bin-liner).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Derided as a buffoonish figure of fun for attempting to keep dry while his England team failed to qualify for Euro 2008, McClaren is currently attracting far less media attention for steering Derby County to fourth from 14th in the Championship after a run of just two defeats in 15 matches since he replaced Nigel Clough in September.

The Guardian - Sport

Amid criticisms that £10m to £20m was relatively small figure on which to make such a major policy announcement – the NHS budget is more than £100bn a year – the health secretary disputed the No 10 claim.

The Guardian

But he returned again and again to the posed naked figure, male and female – the ultimate test and validation, so the critic Robert Hughes has stated, of any artist's merit and painterly ability.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "figure" to refer to a number, ensure it aligns with the context. For example, in financial reports, use precise figures and cite sources.

Common error

Avoid using "figure" vaguely. Always provide sufficient context to ensure clarity; specify if you're referring to a numerical value, a diagram, or an abstract concept.

Linguistic Context

The word "figure" functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to a numerical quantity, a diagram, or a person. As a verb, it means to calculate or understand something. Ludwig AI confirms that "figure" is used correctly in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "figure" is a versatile term with multiple meanings, functioning both as a noun and a verb. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It can refer to a numerical value, a diagram, or an individual, and it can also mean to calculate or understand. The phrase is very common, appearing frequently in news and media, formal business contexts, and the arts. While alternatives like "calculate", "determine", and "estimate" exist, the specific nuance of "figure" makes it uniquely useful across varied contexts. It's crucial to provide enough context to ensure clarity and avoid vagueness in its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

calculate

Focuses specifically on the mathematical computation aspect.

determine

Emphasizes the process of reaching a definite decision or answer.

estimate

Highlights an approximate calculation or judgment.

work out

Implies solving a problem or finding a solution.

compute

Refers to a more formal and precise calculation.

ascertain

Suggests discovering something with certainty.

quantify

Focuses on expressing something numerically.

number

Refers to a value or amount.

amount to

Indicates a total or sum.

add up to

Suggests a final tally or result.

FAQs

How can I use "figure" in a sentence?

You can use "figure" in sentences like, "Can you please "figure out" the total cost?" or "The latest unemployment "figures" are alarming".

What are some alternatives to the word "figure"?

Alternatives include "calculate", "determine", or "estimate", depending on the context in which it is used.

Is it correct to say "figure out"?

Yes, ""figure out"" is a common phrasal verb that means to understand or solve something.

What's the difference between "figure" and "number"?

"Figure" can refer to a diagram, shape, or person, as well as a numerical value. "Number" specifically refers to a numerical value. In contexts related to quantities or statistics, they can often be used interchangeably, but "figure" has a broader range of applications.