glass tubes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "glass tubes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to cylindrical containers made of glass, often used in scientific or laboratory settings. Example: "The experiment required several glass tubes to hold the various chemical samples."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Tiny amounts within tiny glass tubes separate much more quickly than they do with traditional methods.

The New York Times - Science

Still others are festooned with mussel shells, plastic flowers, dolls and glass tubes.

The New York Times

The fly stands before the vast mouths of two glass tubes.

The New Yorker

Throw in some of those glass tubes florists use to keep rose stems turgid.

The New York Times

Diffusion tubes are tiny glass tubes with a gauze mesh at the top end.

The Guardian

To top it off, Lerner gave the stations a distinctive look by placing them in futuristic glass tubes.

The Guardian

Our subsequent experiments — high-speed videos of duck penises erecting into glass tubes of various shapes — suggested we were right.

The New Yorker

Hanging on the walls are large glass tubes containing ingredients of many of the drinks, like gingko and cinnamon root.

The New York Times

Each of the feed water samples was carefully transferred to individual 75 mL glass tubes.

Renewables: Wind, Water, and Solar

Glass tubes with 60 ml capacity were used as sample holders.

Applied Water Science

Globin from the 18 individual mice was transferred to glass tubes (4 to 16 mg/tube).

EJNMMI Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing scientific experiments, be specific about the type of "glass tubes" used, such as borosilicate or quartz, to ensure clarity and reproducibility.

Common error

Avoid using "glass tubes" when a more specific term like "test tubes", "vials", or "pipettes" would be more appropriate and precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "glass tubes" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object within a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. For example, "Diffusion tubes are tiny glass tubes with a gauze mesh at the top end."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "glass tubes" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it serves a descriptive purpose, identifying tubular objects made of glass. While its formality varies, ranging from formal to neutral, depending on the source, it’s crucial to select a more specific term when appropriate, such as "test tubes" or "glass vials", to avoid overgeneralization. Common authoritative sources include The New York Times and The Guardian, further underscoring its reliable usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

glass cylinders

Refers to a similar shape but emphasizes the cylindrical form.

glass vials

Describes small containers typically used for storing liquids.

test tubes

Specifically used for scientific experiments.

glass pipes

Implies a tube used for conducting fluids or gases.

borosilicate tubes

Specifies a type of glass known for its heat resistance.

quartz tubes

Specifies a type of glass made from quartz.

laboratory glassware

General term for glass equipment used in labs.

glass containers

Broader term encompassing various types of glass receptacles.

transparent tubes

Emphasizes the transparency of the tubes, regardless of material.

hollow glass rods

Describes the tubes' internal structure.

FAQs

How are "glass tubes" used in scientific research?

"Glass tubes" are commonly used to hold, mix, and heat chemicals or biological samples in laboratory experiments.

What are some common alternatives to "glass tubes"?

Depending on the context, you could use "glass vials", "test tubes", or "glass cylinders".

Which is correct, "glass tube" or "glass tubes"?

"Glass tube" refers to a single tube, while "glass tubes" refers to multiple tubes. Use the plural form when referring to more than one.

What materials are "glass tubes" typically made of?

"Glass tubes" can be made of various types of glass, including borosilicate, quartz, and soda-lime glass, each offering different properties for specific applications.