lexical expression

USAGE SUMMARY

'lexical expression' is a correct and usable term in written English.
The term is often used to describe a word or phrase that has a specific meaning within a certain context. For example, you might say, “The phrase ‘living the dream’ is a common lexical expression used to describe a person who is successful and happy.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In collective tagging systems, by tagging we can describe the content of an object – an image, a song or a document – label it using any lexical expression preceded by the "hashtag" (the symbol "#") and share it with our friends and followers or also recommend it to an audience of strangers.

Cornell University

In Chinese, counterfactuals without a subjunctive mood, but instead containing the lexical expression yàobúshì, differentiate alternative situations from reality.

Lingua Sinica

According to NSM, primes are primitive, innate, unanalyzable semantic constituents that are lexicalized in all natural languages (in the form of a word, a morpheme, a phraseme) and whose appropriate combination should be sufficient to delineate the semantic properties of any lexical expression in any natural language.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For this purpose, two different approaches for detecting conflicts are introduced: one entails the use of lexical expressions of functions, and the other involves the ranges of design parameters.

CIRP Annals

In the source text, lexical expressions of (un certainty are rarely adopted in statements.

Functional Linguistics

First, it had no theory of how lexical expressions contributed to the truth conditions of sentences (Lewis 1972).

SEP

For example, Ludlow (2014) establishes a strong correlation between the underdetermination of lexical concepts (a semantic matter) and the processes of linguistic entrenchment whereby discourse partners converge on the assignation of shared meanings to lexical expressions (a foundational matter).

SEP

The second type of theory, that we can label a foundational theory of word meaning, is interested in singling out the facts whereby lexical expressions come to have the semantic properties they have for their users.

SEP

Simply put, frames provide a schematic representation of the elements and entities associated with a particular domain of experience and convey the information required to use and interpret the lexical expressions employed to designate it.

SEP

The challenge, then, is to develop an account of the representational format of encyclopedic knowledge and describe the operations whereby it interacts with the basic semantic features of lexical expressions.

SEP

Although originated for stylistic and literary purposes, the identification of regular patterns in the figurative use of words initiated by classical rhetoric provided a first organized framework to investigate the semantic flexibility of words, and stimulated an interest in our ability to use lexical expressions beyond the boundaries of their literal meaning.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lexical expression", ensure the context is appropriate for a formal or academic setting. It is suitable when discussing language, linguistics, or semantics.

Common error

Avoid using "lexical expression" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler terms like "word" or "phrase" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lexical expression" primarily functions as a noun phrase used to denote a specific word, term, or phrase within a language that carries meaning. As Ludwig AI underlines, it's commonly used in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

News & Media

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lexical expression" is a grammatically sound term referring to a word or phrase with specific meaning, predominantly used in formal academic and scientific settings. Ludwig AI indicates that it functions as a noun phrase for analyzing language elements. While relatively rare, its usage is precise, marking a formal tone. When writing, remember to use simpler terms when in informal contexts. This review, drawing from a variety of sources, helps clarify the nuances and correct applications of this linguistic term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lexical item

Highlights a basic unit of meaning in a language's lexicon.

linguistic term

Emphasizes the technical or academic nature of the expression.

vocabulary item

Focuses on the single word or unit within a vocabulary.

semantic unit

Focuses on the meaning conveyed by the expression.

phraseological unit

Indicates a fixed or semi-fixed combination of words.

word form

Refers to the specific shape or spelling of a word.

term of phrase

Indicates specific jargon or accepted nomenclature.

fixed expression

Implies that the expression is invariable and commonly used.

verbal phrase

Specifies that the expression is a group of words functioning as a verb.

idiomatic expression

Highlights the non-literal, figurative nature of the phrase.

FAQs

How is "lexical expression" used in linguistics?

In linguistics, "lexical expression" refers to a word, phrase, or other linguistic unit that carries a specific meaning and can be analyzed in terms of its semantic and syntactic properties. It's a formal term often used in academic and research contexts.

What is a simpler way to say "lexical expression"?

Depending on the context, you can often replace "lexical expression" with simpler terms like "word", "phrase", "term", or "vocabulary item".

What's the difference between a "lexical expression" and a "grammatical structure"?

A "lexical expression" refers to the specific words or phrases used, while a "grammatical structure" refers to the arrangement of those words and phrases according to the rules of grammar. One concerns vocabulary, the other, syntax.

Can you give an example of a "lexical expression"?

Sure, some examples are "idiomatic expressions" like "raining cats and dogs", a technical term such as "semantic field", or even just a simple word like "hello". All of these can be considered "lexical expressions".