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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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flax

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "flax" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a type of plant with blue flowers, or to refer to its fibers. Example sentence: I made my dress out of flax fibers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As you doubtless know, this was once a one-party state, an autocracy ruled by Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop, less a website than a peek into a bizarro alternate universe, where the "inner aspect" is "nourished", children willingly eat flax oil for breakfast, and "bath salts for inner peace" can be had for a mere $78 £488) a packet.

She also pointed out that a GM flax crop, called CDC Triffid, was originally grown on a small-scale in Canada in 2001, but was later found to have contaminated some non-GM crops.

News & Media

The Guardian

If you can't find milled flax seeds, you can usually find them whole labeled as linseed.

We shall take an early opportunity of explaining our views on this point at the greater length which it deserves.In reply to N.O., Liverpool, the following are the quantities of wheat imported and delivered for consumption in the United Kingdom, in the first seven months of the year:In reply to E. & Co., of Leeds, the entire import of flax this year up to the 5th of August, has been 774,659 cwts.

News & Media

The Economist

Since 1945 or so his family, weary of a life of gathering flax or hawking rabbit skins, had settled, with their 13 children, in an Aberdeen tenement.

News & Media

The Economist

Given agriculture's shrinking role in the French economy, it is worth asking why.The fat of the landOn a wooded plateau in eastern Normandy, near the village of Grossoeuvre, Didier Lefebvre keeps 110 dairy cows and farms 45 hectares of maize, wheat, rapeseed and flax.

News & Media

The Economist

Last month he launched an investigation into nine categories of Chinese products, and is now discussing emergency limits on imports of T-shirts and flax yarn.

News & Media

The Economist

Clothes, carpets, bed-sheets and blankets were woven from wool, flax, cotton or (if you were lucky) silk.

News & Media

The Economist

The far less beneficial ones (short-chain fatty acids) come from cheap plant oils like flax seed and soya, as well as from leafy green vegetables.

News & Media

The Economist

Just as most Christians have reconciled themselves to lending money at interest and most Jews do not examine the labels in their clothes to see if they contain mixed wool and flax, so homosexual parents may come to seem another variety in the bewildering gamut of family structures.But should the state force that process?

News & Media

The Economist

For years, vegetarians and vegans have told themselves that the human body can create DHA from plant sources such as flax and spinach.

News & Media

The Economist
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about textiles, specify "flax" if you want to be precise about the plant source, as opposed to using the general term "linen".

Common error

Avoid using "flax" when you actually mean "linen". "Flax" refers to the plant, while "linen" is the fabric made from the plant's fibers.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The word "flax" functions primarily as a noun, referring either to the plant itself or to its fibers. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Examples show it used in contexts ranging from agriculture and textiles to nutrition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

37%

News & Media

31%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flax" is a versatile noun that refers to a plant or its fibers, predominantly used in contexts relating to agriculture, textiles, and nutrition. Ludwig AI indicates that "flax" is correct and usable in written English. While primarily found in encyclopedic and news sources, its register is generally neutral but can be formal in scientific contexts. It's essential to distinguish "flax" from ""linen"", as the former is the plant, and the latter is the fabric derived from it. Related terms include "linseed" and "flaxseed", referring to the seeds of the "flax" plant.

FAQs

How is "flax" used in historical contexts?

"Flax" was historically cultivated for its fibers, used to make linen, and its seeds, used for oil. You'll often see it mentioned in discussions of early textiles and agriculture.

What's the difference between "flax" and "linen"?

"Flax" refers to the plant itself, while "linen" is the fabric made from the fibers of the flax plant. You grow flax to produce linen.

How can I use "flax" in a sentence about nutrition?

You can say, ""Flax" seeds are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids" or "I added ground "flax" to my smoothie for extra fiber."

What are some synonyms for "flax" when discussing agriculture?

Depending on the context, you could use "linseed" (referring to the seeds) or "fiber crop" when discussing its cultivation.

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Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: