formulae

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'formulae' is considered correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a set of mathematical equations, such as in the following example sentence: The professor presented the student with a series of complex formulae to solve.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even check the formulae in your budget spreadsheet are adding up correctly.

The Guardian

The show is broadcast weekly (and can also be downloaded afterwards) on Resonance FM, which describes itself as "the world's first radio art station, established by London Musicians' Collective...to provide a radical alternative to the universal formulae of mainstream broadcasting".

The Guardian

As he explains his ideas to me with formulae and theorems, it still sounds a little too technical (I am someone who struggled with O-level maths).

The Guardian - Books

This is a huge book, more than 700 pages long, dense with footnotes, graphs and mathematical formulae.

The Guardian - Books

The deal's basic formulae will have to be converted into tariff schedules for thousands of products, controversial rules on anti-dumping must be thrashed out, and the services negotiations must catch up.

The Economist

For morning flights to Barbados, the cognac "gondola" is stocked with bottles of Courvoisier and Hennessy; cheaper brandies take their place for afternoon flights to America and Norway.High-street formulae must be tweaked.

The Economist

In Germany, for example, how much is being transferred from rich to poor states, and the formulae used to justify the transfers, are a matter of public record, and debate.

The Economist

These formulae could be used to mix compounds from a palette of smells to produce a range of different odours.

The Economist

In elementary mathematics, for example, these try to relate formulae to practical situations.

The Economist

They are the ones who, in 1964, plucked what has come to be known (unfairly in some eyes) as the Higgs boson from formulae they were working on to fix a niggle in quantum theory.

The Economist

The Basel 2 formulae for credit risk are based on credit ratings applied to company debt, either by rating agencies or internally by banks themselves.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about technical subjects, clarify the specific field to which the "formulae" apply, such as mathematical, chemical, or statistical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "formulae" loosely to describe general concepts or ideas; ensure it refers to defined, structured methods or equations to maintain clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "formulae" is as a plural noun. It serves to denote multiple instances of a formula, whether in a mathematical, scientific, or more general procedural context. Ludwig AI confirms its use in diverse scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formulae" functions as the plural form of "formula", denoting multiple mathematical, scientific, or procedural methods. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct, most commonly found in news, formal business, and scientific contexts. While "formulas" is an acceptable alternative, "formulae" retains a more formal tone. When using "formulae", ensure it specifically refers to structured methods or equations, and consider the related phrases like "mathematical formulas" or "set of equations" to refine your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mathematical formulas

This alternative specifies the type of formulae being referenced, focusing specifically on mathematical contexts.

set of equations

This refers specifically to mathematical "formulae", emphasizing the equation aspect.

chemical formulas

This narrows the scope to formulae used in chemistry, related to compounds and substances.

algorithmic approaches

This alternative brings attention to the step-by-step nature and computational aspect of "formulae".

defined methods

This emphasizes the structured and predetermined nature of "formulae".

prescribed methods

Implies a more formal or authoritative endorsement of the "formulae".

standard procedures

This broadens the meaning to include any established method or protocol, not necessarily mathematical.

established patterns

This highlights the idea of recurring structures or sequences, which "formulae" can represent.

specific recipes

This likens "formulae" to a recipe, a set of instructions for achieving a result.

fixed routines

This focuses on the repetitive application of "formulae", similar to a routine.

FAQs

How can I use "formulae" in a sentence?

You can use "formulae" to refer to mathematical equations, chemical compositions, or any established method. For example, "The scientist developed new "formulae" to explain the phenomenon."

What's the difference between "formulae" and "formulas"?

"Formulae" is the more traditional, Latin-derived plural of "formula", while "formulas" is the Anglicized plural. Both are correct, but "formulae" is often preferred in more formal or technical contexts.

What are some alternatives to "formulae"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "equations", "methods", "recipes", or "algorithms".

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "formulae"?

"Formulae" is particularly suitable in scientific, mathematical, or technical writing where precision and formality are valued.