humanities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "humanities" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to academic disciplines that study aspects of human society and culture, such as literature, philosophy, and history. Example: "The university offers a wide range of courses in the humanities, allowing students to explore various cultural and historical perspectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Won't opening up access to the detailed, considered arguments held within humanities monographs do wonders for the reputation and impact of subject areas whose contribution to society is often under-rated?

The Guardian

In the humanities, the monograph's the thing.

The Guardian

We pay for them, to have all the luck, humanities, no arts-free EBacc, "personal enrichment" and SMALLER CLASSES.

The Guardian

GTAs in the humanities do a huge amount of work behind the scenes: reading the course material alone takes a significant amount of time.

The Guardian

He is former dean of the faculty of arts and humanities, professor of literature, and director of the centre for creative and performing arts at the University of East Anglia.

The Guardian

The more relevant factor, however, as Higgins states, has been the government's sustained attacks on public arts funding (down £83m since 2010), and music education in particular, while it has systematically undermined the very sources of future audiences – for both music and theatre – through its Department for Education's devaluing of studies in the arts and humanities.

The Guardian - Music

Gabriel Mallows, 19, BA politics, UCL "Many subjects – especially the humanities – put an emphasis on independent study, which means you don't have as much contact time with tutors.

The Guardian

The monograph is still the thing: anyone who wants to be taken seriously as a scholar in the humanities should work towards having one.

The Guardian

Melissa Terras is professor of digital humanities and director of UCL Centre for Digital Humanities – follow her on Twitter @melissaterras More like this: Open access: six myths to put to rest Open access and the humanities: reimagining our future Join the higher education network for more comment, analysis and job opportunities, direct to your inbox.

The Guardian

A decade ago, in my first year as lecturer in a humanities department, an eminent professor helped me secure a book contract with a top university press for my recently completed doctoral thesis.

The Guardian

Today, the humanities publishing landscape is changing alongside every other.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context when using "humanities"; it is generally used in academic or formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "humanities" when you mean "humanity", which refers to the human race or the quality of being human. "Humanities" refers to academic subjects.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "humanities" is as a plural noun, typically referring to academic disciplines that study human culture. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts related to education and research. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

36%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "humanities" functions as a plural noun, denoting academic disciplines focused on human culture and thought. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and examples show it's commonly found in news, academic, and science contexts. While grammatically sound, it's crucial not to confuse it with "humanity". Alternatives like "liberal arts" and "humanistic studies" exist, offering nuanced options. Remember to use "humanities" to specifically discuss fields like literature, history, and philosophy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the disciplines of humanity

This is a more formal and academic rephrasing of "humanities".

liberal arts

This term emphasizes the broad, non-technical aspects of education, similar to "humanities".

the study of human culture

This phrase directly describes the core subject matter of the "humanities".

humanistic studies

This highlights the focus on human values and perspectives, akin to "humanities".

arts and letters

This phrase captures the creative and intellectual aspects of the "humanities".

fields of human knowledge

This emphasizes the breadth of subjects covered within the "humanities".

cultural studies

This focuses on the study of culture, a significant component of the "humanities".

interpretive disciplines

This highlights the analytical and interpretive nature of "humanities" subjects.

the arts

This is a broader term, encompassing creative disciplines often associated with the "humanities".

non-scientific disciplines

This contrasts the "humanities" with scientific fields, emphasizing their distinct methodologies.

FAQs

How are the "humanities" different from the sciences?

The "humanities" explore human culture, values, and meaning through interpretive methods, while the sciences use empirical methods to study the natural world. Both fields offer valuable insights but approach knowledge from different perspectives.

What are some common fields of study within the "humanities"?

Common fields within the "humanities" include literature, history, philosophy, languages, religion, and the fine arts. These fields examine various aspects of human experience and expression.

Why are the "humanities" important?

The "humanities" foster critical thinking, creativity, and cultural understanding. They help us interpret the world, appreciate diverse perspectives, and engage in meaningful dialogue about complex issues.

What are some alternatives to saying "humanities"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "liberal arts", "humanistic studies", or "arts and letters". Each term carries slightly different connotations.