languages

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "languages" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a language or languages spoken by someone. For example, "He speaks three languages: English, French, and Spanish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Education

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is cool here!" Bobo, who speaks six languages, was a charming guide with a great sense of humour – and great fashion sense, mixing a batik suit with a modern gilet, or zebra-print shorts with a trendy T-shirt.

The Guardian - Travel

At this point Emilie does a remarkable thing: she changes languages, from French to Flemish to English, and as she does so her body language changes and she is no longer the elfin Parisian gamine but morphs almost into a sort of Englishwoman – less self-consciously cute and man-pleasing and a bit more real.

The Guardian - Film

LINGUA.LY iOS/Android - FREE Recently crossing from Android to iOS, Lingua.ly aims to help you learn languages by reading articles and tapping on words you don't know to get their translation.

The Guardian - Tech

Amazon EU serves tens of millions of customers and sellers throughout Europe from multiple consumer websites in a number of languages dispatching products to all 28 countries in the EU.

The Guardian - Business

The most high-profile example is the decision to cut fee support for English classes for speakers of other languages who are not actively seeking work and are on benefits, such as jobseeker's allowance.

The Guardian

Cinema has become a powerful tool for indigenous cultures, and at this "festival of first nations" there are films in languages you never knew existed, plus a fair few surprises.

The Guardian - Film

Lover of sport" Followers: 61,663 (in three hours) Sample tweet: Tone: Congeniality personified in three languages Bio: Ancelotti declines to define himself in a few lines and instead links to his official website, which sets out his achievements in some detail.

The Guardian - Sport

I began to comprehend something of the awesome range and vigour of place words as they have existed in the numerous languages and dialects of these islands.

The Guardian - Books

There is no single mountain language, but a range of mountain languages; no one coastal language, but a fractal of coastal languages; no lone tree language, but a forest of tree languages.

The Guardian - Books

The entries for individual words grew, some to several pages in length, as a meshwork of cross-reference thrived between languages and usages.

The Guardian - Books

I have become better with money but there was a big reality check at first – and there are times when I have lived off porridge and pea soup!" Jaisal Patel, 22, BA modern languages and business, University of Liverpool "I graduated this summer and am starting a job as a wetstock data analyst at a petroleum management company, helping to minimise leaks and theft at garage forecourts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "languages", be specific about which ones you are referring to, especially in technical or academic contexts. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "languages" loosely without specifying which ones are relevant to your discussion. For instance, instead of saying "knowing languages is important", specify "knowing Mandarin Chinese and Spanish is beneficial for international business".

Linguistic Context

The term "languages" functions primarily as a plural noun, referring to multiple systems of communication used by humans. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Books

20%

Education

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "languages" is a common and grammatically correct plural noun referring to multiple systems of communication. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is widespread across diverse contexts, including news, literature, and education. While the term is generally neutral in register, it’s important to be specific about which "languages" are being discussed to ensure clarity. Common errors include overgeneralization without providing specific examples. Related phrases offer alternative ways to discuss linguistic systems or skills. With a high expert rating and frequent occurrence in authoritative sources, "languages" remains a versatile and essential term in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

linguistic systems

Refers to the structured systems underlying communication; shifts focus from usage to the underlying structure.

modes of expression

Highlights how different languages serve as distinct ways to express thoughts and ideas.

communication forms

Broader term encompassing both verbal and non-verbal methods; less specific than "languages".

language proficiency

Focuses on the skill level in using a language, rather than languages as entities.

multilingualism

Emphasizes the ability to use multiple languages, rather than the languages themselves.

foreign tongues

Informal way to refer to languages different from one's native language.

language acquisition

Focuses on the process of learning a language, rather than languages themselves.

language studies

Highlights the academic discipline focused on language; less about the languages themselves.

verbal communication

Emphasizes the act of communicating through language, shifting focus from the languages themselves.

means of communication

General term encompassing all ways of conveying information; broadens the scope beyond just language.

FAQs

How do I use "languages" in a sentence?

Use "languages" to refer to multiple language systems. For example, "She speaks three "languages" fluently" or "The software supports multiple "languages"".

What's the difference between "language" and "languages"?

"Language" is singular, referring to one specific system of communication. "Languages" is plural, referring to multiple systems. For example, "English is my native language" versus "She studies several "languages" at university".

What are some other ways to say "languages"?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "linguistic systems", "modes of expression", or "communication forms" to refer to languages.

Is it correct to say "speaks languages"?

Yes, it's correct to say "speaks languages" when referring to the ability to speak multiple languages. For example, "He speaks several "languages", including French and German".