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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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historical

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "historical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to events, figures, or contexts related to history or the past. Example: "The historical significance of the battle cannot be overstated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Built in 1890 by Robert Walker in Portland stone and listed by English Heritage as a site of special historical and architectural interest, the property boasts a penthouse suite with aerial views of the capital, dozens of rooms, spaces for entertaining, and a secure vault in the basement.

News & Media

The Guardian

But Obama made use of the historical setting to try to conjure the very same sort of shared values that brought western nations together when the iron curtain divided Europe; he announced plans to cut nuclear weapons.

News & Media

The Guardian

After the Russian Revolution, according to Putin, the Bolsheviks did serious damage to Russia's interests: The Bolsheviks, for a number of reasons – may God judge them – added large sections of the historical south of Russia to the Republic of Ukraine.

News & Media

The Guardian

"We're talking about an issue which really clears up the historical record," Leigh said.

News & Media

The Guardian

There was nonetheless a historical irony in watching Ukrainians tearing down Lenin's statues as a sign of their will to break with Soviet domination and assert their national sovereignty.

News & Media

The Guardian

It was only a strange error that led to the historical obsession with GDP As someone who has worked on these issues for three decades, I have observed that, sadly, most people who criticise the idea of measuring happiness are handicapped by the fact they know little about the research literature on the topic.

News & Media

The Guardian

In the UK, a Spectator blog by Nick Cohen "said everything I would wish to say better than I could say it", wrote Rushdie in retweeting a link; and Jo Glanville, director of English PEN, argued that the works at issue in historical "free speech battles" had often been offensive or of "no merit".

The violent protests over the union flag row have now extended to the East Antrim town, which has long-standing historical links to the Ulster loyalist-Protestant cause.

News & Media

The Guardian

You collect historical warriors and send them out to fight, upgrading their levels as you go.

Historical amnesia is certainly liberating – so liberating that America is once again diving into free fall, unmoored by any critical or intellectual insight into its own myths, or even into the histories of the debates that we think define our moment.

He describes the latter as "an incurious 'presentism' – combining a lack of historical sense, a pervasive contempt for the wisdom of the past, a fascination with novelty simply because it is new and a propensity to over-react to every ephemeral focus group finding or tabloid whim".

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "historical", ensure the context clearly relates to documented events or established periods of the past. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "historical" when "historic" is more appropriate. "Historic" denotes importance or fame, whereas "historical" simply relates to the past. For instance, use "historic event" instead of "historical event" when emphasizing significance.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

94%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The adjective "historical" primarily functions to describe something related to or based on events in the past. Ludwig AI's analysis and examples confirm its use in denoting a connection to recorded history, distinguishing it from myths or legends.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "historical" is a versatile adjective used to describe something related to the past. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples from reliable sources, primarily news and media, confirms that the use of the term "historical" is grammatically correct. To ensure proper usage, distinguish "historical" from "historic", using the latter only when emphasizing significance or importance. Remember to ensure that context is clear and relevant to documented events or periods of the past. This will improve clarity and strengthen credibility. By following this guide, you can confidently and effectively use "historical" in your writing.

FAQs

How do I use "historical" in a sentence?

"Historical" is used to describe something related to or based on events in the past. For instance, "The museum has a large collection of historical artifacts."

What's the difference between "historical" and "historic"?

"Historical" refers to anything related to history, while "historic" refers to something significant or important in history. Use "historical research" for research about history, and "historic moment" for a momentous occasion.

What are some adjectives similar to "historical"?

Alternatives include "past", "ancient", or "former", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Each of these carries a slightly different implication about the time period or context.

Can I use "historical" to describe something that happened recently?

While technically anything that happened in the past is "historical", the term usually implies a time period further removed from the present. For recent events, consider using "past" or "previous".

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: