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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
journal
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"journal" is a correct and usable term in written English.
You can use the word to refer to a diary, newspaper, or periodical of some sort, and it can also be used as a verb meaning to record something in a journal. Example sentence: I tried to keep a journal of my thoughts and experiences every day.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
"We've now got tangible figures of the quantities and locations of fossil fuels that should remain unused in trying to keep within the 2C temperature limit," said Christophe McGlade, at University College London (UCL), and who led the new research published in the journal Nature.
News & Media
As a recent paper published in the journal Nature showed, the Pacific Ocean in particular appears to be the key component of the climate's natural internal variability, and the main culprit behind the slowed global surface warming over the past 15 years.
News & Media
Back in London, I find a 2008 paper on morgellons in the journal Dermatologic Therapy that describes patients picking "at their skin continuously in order to 'extract' an organism"; "obsessive cleaning rituals, showering often" and individuals going "to many physicians, such as infectious disease specialists and dermatologists" – all behaviours "consistent with DOP".
News & Media
He pointed me to a scientific paper published in 2011 in the journal Surveys in Geophysics showing that in fact, tide gauges record that sea level has been rising at about 2.8mm per year since the early 90s, not the 1mm claimed by Carter and Harris.
News & Media
The animals came from various places in Oman, suggesting the virus or one like it was widespread in camels across the country, said the researchers in their paper in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases.
News & Media
She added: "The decision not to publish had absolutely nothing to do with any 'activism' on the part of the reviewers or the journal, as suggested in The Times' article; the rejection was solely based on the content of the paper not meeting the journal's high editorial standards.
News & Media
In their reports, the reviewers stated that "the overall innovation of the manuscript is very low", and this meant it did not meet requirements for the papers in the journal to "significantly advance knowledge in the field".
News & Media
Researchers have only now isolated the two species of Dendrogramma described in the latest edition of the online journal Public Library of Science ONE.
News & Media
I then turned on the Today programme to hear that "row" played out between Prof Colin Blakemore, the former head of the Medical Research Council, and Dr Fiona Godlee, the editor of the BMJ, the journal that had published claims that I and others involved in the sugar debate had received funding from food companies.
News & Media
A paper in the Lancet Infectious Diseases medical journal models the response in Montserrado, Liberia, against the spread of the virus and warns that current efforts will not bring the outbreak under control.
News & Media
"There has been a high-level decision by our chancellor and vice chancellor to challenge the EU decision on Hinkley within two months of its publication in the EU's official journal," Andreas Molin, the director of Austria's environment ministry told the Guardian.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When referring to academic or scientific publications, use "journal" to denote credibility and peer-reviewed content. For personal reflections, consider "diary" or "daybook".
Common error
Avoid using "journal" when "diary" or "notebook" more accurately reflects personal, informal writing. "Journal" often implies a degree of formality or professional record-keeping.
Source & Trust
90%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The primary grammatical function of "journal" is as a noun, referring to a periodical publication or a personal record of events. As Ludwig AI confirms, "journal" is a correct and usable term in written English, functioning in various contexts.
Frequent in
News & Media
40%
Science
30%
Formal & Business
20%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
2%
Wiki
4%
Reference
4%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The term "journal" functions primarily as a noun, denoting either an academic publication or a personal diary. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad usability. As evidenced by the numerous examples, "journal" appears frequently in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "diary" or "periodical" exist, the specific connotation of "journal"—implying either professional rigor or personal reflection—makes it a versatile and widely used term. When using the term "journal" in your writing, make sure the term you chose accurately reflects the purpose.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
diary
Refers specifically to a personal record of daily events and reflections; "journal" can be broader.
daily record
Highlights the routine and ongoing nature of the recorded information.
daybook
Implies a record of daily transactions or events, particularly in a business context.
periodical
Denotes a regularly published magazine or scholarly publication, focusing on specific subjects.
chronicle
Suggests a detailed and continuous record of events, often historical.
academic publication
Highlights the presence of academic peer review
record
A broad term for any documented information; "journal" implies a specific format or purpose.
log
Indicates a systematic record of events, often in a technical or operational context.
publication
Emphasizes the act of making information available to the public; "journal" is a type of publication.
magazine
Specifically refers to a printed or digital periodical containing articles, stories, and other content.
FAQs
How to use "journal" in a sentence?
You can use "journal" to refer to a periodical publication, as in, "The study was published in a leading medical journal." It can also refer to a personal record, such as, "She kept a detailed journal of her travels."
What can I say instead of "journal" (personal record)?
Which is correct, "journal" or "diary" for personal entries?
"Journal" and "diary" are both correct, but "diary" typically implies more personal and reflective entries, while "journal" can encompass a broader range of recorded information.
What's the difference between a "journal" and a "magazine"?
A "journal" often contains academic or professional articles, while a "magazine" typically features articles aimed at a broader audience, often for entertainment or general interest.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
90%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested