formulas

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'formulas' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a set of instructions or rules, like a mathematical or chemical formula, that tells you how to do something or make something. Example Sentence: Before starting the experiment, be sure to carefully read the formulas in the lab manual.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Traditional Chinese medicine uses formulas including rhubarb, tangerine, cardamom and liquorice and five or more herbs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You now have saved both the formulas and values that created that particular chart.

WikiHow

The functions, such as SIN and COS, may be entered in caps, but the variables should go into the formulas just as I've given then to you, or rather, just as you input them.

WikiHow

During the course, you'll learn how Excel's formulas and functions open up new ways to organise and interpret data.

The Guardian

These two variables are factors in the main trigonometric formulas to come.

WikiHow

If entering one of the long formulas and it won't take, count left and right parentheses to make sure they're properly matched and in their proper places please.

WikiHow

The first minister suggested that commercial involvement in English healthcare is inevitably a cover for cuts, and that funding formulas would soon see such cuts extended to Scotland.

The Guardian - Opinion

Last month, the court rejected an Arkansas request to void a lower court's stay of execution of Don Davis, on similar grounds.States are rushing to devise new, less painful chemical formulas and procedures to use in executions.

The Economist

But their argument is weakened by the random way in which companies pick-'n'-mix their formulas.

The Economist

More than in any other sector, high-tech firms are calculating earnings not just by applying GAAP, but by using homemade formulas to exclude "special expenses"—a method that invariably makes the numbers look a lot better.On February 4th, for example, Priceline.com, an online travel agency, reported a pro-forma net income of $3.3m, a sum that converted under GAAP rules into a loss of $1.3m.

The Economist

In Texas, for example, legislators expect $4 billion in cuts for schools over the next two years, a 6% decrease from the state's projected funding formulas for 2012.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific contexts, always cite the source of the "formulas" to maintain academic integrity.

Common error

Avoid using "formulas" loosely to describe general approaches. It's best used for specific, well-defined sets of rules or equations, not as a synonym for "strategies" or "methods" in non-technical contexts.

Linguistic Context

The term "formulas" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a set of rules, methods, or equations used to achieve a specific result. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it is used in both mathematical and non-mathematical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formulas" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun. It refers to established methods, rules, or equations for achieving specific results. According to Ludwig, its usage spans across diverse contexts from News & Media to scientific research. While versatile, it is advisable to reserve it for scenarios where a well-defined set of rules or equations is relevant, and avoid generalizing. As Ludwig AI highlights, the term is most precise when referring to established methodologies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equations

Refers specifically to mathematical statements showing equality, a subset of formulas.

recipes

Implies a set of instructions for creating something, often in cooking or chemistry.

methods

A broad term for a way of doing something, applicable to various processes.

systems

Suggests a structured set of procedures or rules.

procedures

A specific set of actions conducted in a specific order.

algorithms

A process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer.

protocols

A set of rules, especially in science or diplomacy.

standards

Accepted principles or rules of conduct.

principles

Fundamental truths or propositions that serve as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior.

guidelines

General rules or advice.

FAQs

How can I use "formulas" in a sentence?

You can use "formulas" to refer to a set of instructions or rules, like a mathematical or chemical formula, that tells you how to do something or make something. For example, "Before starting the experiment, be sure to carefully read the formulas in the lab manual."

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

"Equations" are mathematical statements showing equality between two expressions, while "formulas" are more general and can refer to any set of instructions or rules, not just mathematical ones.

What can I say instead of "formulas"?

You can use alternatives like "equations", "recipes", or "methods" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "formula's" instead of "formulas"?

No, "formula's" is the possessive form of "formula", while "formulas" is the plural form. Use "formulas" when referring to multiple formulas.