inputs

USAGE SUMMARY

"inputs" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to what is fed into a system, typically information or data, like in the sentence "The computer's inputs are based on the user's preferences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Plausible explanations for the low yields include lack of access to quality resources such as water, inputs and low use of new technologies that require money – such as fertiliser, machinery and irrigation technology," the report says.

The Guardian

When serving on one such committee I learned that two inputs were of little help: those of religion and the law.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I think Britain has very important inputs to make in that process.

The Guardian

The house was built with the inputs of professional architects, designers, and engineers who worked closely with the contractor, workers and masons.

The Guardian

Most chemical inputs are banned in cities, but a mild, low-toxin pesticide called cabaril is allowed, to protect seeds from ants.

The Guardian

Now big business, which relies heavily on Chinese inputs, is quieter.

The Economist

The images act as inputs to the system; the labels ("face" or "not face") as outputs.

The Economist

Mr Scholes thinks much of the blame for the recent woe should be pinned not on economists' theories and models but on those on Wall Street and in the City who pushed them too far in practice.Financial firms plugged in data that reflected a "view of the world that was far more benign than it was reasonable to take, emphasising recent inputs over more historic numbers," says Mr Scholes.

The Economist

The computer's task is to come up with a statistical rule that correlates inputs with the correct outputs.

The Economist

The bank's officials say that the countries that participate care deeply about doing better than their neighbours.Recipients may have more incentive to avoid failing than in a conventional aid programme, where it is easy to trumpet inputs as achievements.

The Economist

"Apparently, a lot of the models used for structured products were pretty good, but the inputs were awful".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing systems or processes, use "inputs" to clearly define what is being fed into the system for processing or transformation. For clarity, specify the type of inputs, such as "data inputs" or "material inputs".

Common error

Avoid using "inputs" when you actually mean "outputs". "Inputs" are what goes into a system, while "outputs" are the results or products of that system. Check that your sentence reflects the correct direction of flow.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "inputs" is as a noun, specifically the plural form of "input". It refers to the resources, data, or signals that are fed into a system or process. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly functions as the subject or object of a sentence describing a system's operation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inputs" functions as a noun referring to resources or data fed into a system. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, especially in contexts related to News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. To ensure clarity in your writing, clearly specify the type of inputs you are referring to and avoid confusing it with "outputs". By understanding its proper use and context, you can effectively communicate the components required for any given process or system.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incoming data

Emphasizes the flow of information into a system.

data points

Focuses specifically on individual pieces of information used for analysis.

contributions

Highlights the act of giving or adding to something.

components

Refers to the individual parts that make up a system or process.

resource allocation

Emphasizes the strategic distribution of resources into a system.

feedstock

Specifies the raw material supplied to a machine or processing plant.

raw materials

Refers to the basic substances used in a production process.

source material

Refers to the original content used as a basis for something else.

factors

Describes elements that contribute to a particular outcome.

elements

Highlights components that contribute to a larger whole.

FAQs

How can I use "inputs" in a sentence?

Use "inputs" to refer to resources, data, or materials that are fed into a process or system. For example, "The model requires accurate data "inputs" to generate reliable predictions".

What are some alternatives to using "inputs"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "contributions", "data points", or "raw materials".

Is it correct to use "inputs" as a verb?

While "input" can be used as a verb, "inputs" is primarily used as the plural form of the noun "input". To use it as a verb in the third person singular, you would say "he inputs the data".

What's the difference between "inputs" and "factors"?

"Factors" are elements that generally influence an outcome, while "inputs" are specifically resources or data fed into a system. While both relate to a final result, "inputs" is more directly associated with processes.