lexical unit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lexical unit" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in linguistics to refer to a single word or a group of words that function as a single meaning or concept. Example: "In the study of language, a lexical unit can be a word, a phrase, or even an idiom that conveys a specific meaning."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The score of lexical similarity is computed based on the lexical unit constituting the sentences to extract the lexically similar words.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

There is a considerable linguistic debate on whether phrasal verbs (e.g., turn up, break down) are processed as two separate words connected by a syntactic rule or whether they form a single lexical unit.

Brain and Language

For example, in ordinary parlance 'word' is ambiguous between lexeme (as in "Color and colour are spellings of the same word") and lexical unit (as in "there are thirteen words in the tongue-twister How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?").

SEP

If a compound is represented as a single lexical unit as predicted by full-listing models (Bybee, 1995), we would expect a larger MMN response relative to the pseudo-compounds and a larger MMN response for more frequently occurring compounds.

Brain and Language

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The lexically simple terms might present some morphological characteristics that differentiate them from the lexical units, which are used in the general language or in a specialized domain.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Recheck the different meanings of the identified lexical units with the native speakers of English.  .

Functional Linguistics

The candidate terms are also compared to a list of lexical units from a contrasting corpora.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

In later work this distinction was obliterated and Frege's semantic notions came to be applied to lexical units.

SEP

In this regard, terms are considered lexical units used to designate concepts in a thematically restrict scenario [1].

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

In Wittgenstein's Tractatus the "real" lexical units, i.e., the constituents of a completely analyzed sentence, are just names, whose semantic properties are exhausted by their reference.

SEP

It is a broad term that covers various lexical units including idioms, proverbs, collocations, lexical bundles, and conventionalized expressions (Schmitt & Carter, 2004).

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about linguistics or language analysis, use "lexical unit" to refer to a single word or a group of words that function as a single element of meaning. Be specific about whether you're discussing single words, compounds, or phrases.

Common error

Avoid using "word" and "lexical unit" interchangeably without considering the context. While a single word can be a lexical unit, the term also encompasses multi-word expressions and other meaningful segments that aren't single words.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lexical unit" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence when discussing linguistics or language analysis. Ludwig examples show its use in defining linguistic concepts and discussing language processing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lexical unit" is a grammatically sound and correct term primarily used in linguistics to refer to a single word or a group of words functioning as a single, meaning-bearing element. As Ludwig AI points out, this term is most frequently found in scientific and academic contexts. While alternatives like "lexeme" or "vocabulary item" exist, "lexical unit" serves a specific purpose in linguistic analysis, highlighting how words and phrases contribute to meaning within a language. Using it correctly requires understanding its formal nature and application in technical discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lexical item

Almost identical in meaning, offering a slight variation in phrasing.

lexeme

A more technical term, often used interchangeably with "lexical unit" but specifically referring to a basic unit of lexical meaning.

vocabulary item

Emphasizes the element as part of a larger vocabulary set.

word form

Focuses on the specific form of a word as it appears in text or speech.

linguistic term

Highlights the use of the element within a linguistic context.

meaningful word

Simple and straightforward way to refer to a word with a specific meaning.

phraseological unit

Similar, yet implies the fixed and idiomatic nature of the phrase.

semantic unit

Focuses more on the meaning aspect of the word or phrase.

terminological unit

Highlights its use within a specific field or domain.

expression

A broader term that includes words and phrases conveying a particular idea.

FAQs

How is "lexical unit" used in a sentence?

A "lexical unit" refers to a single word or a group of words that functions as a single meaning-bearing element. For example, idioms are considered single lexical units.

What is the difference between a "lexical unit" and a word?

While a word is a single, standalone element, a "lexical unit" can be a single word or a multi-word phrase that functions as a single unit of meaning. The "lexeme" captures the abstract unit, while the lexical unit is the concrete manifestation.

What are some alternatives to "lexical unit"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "lexeme", "vocabulary item", or "lexical item". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "lexical unit" a formal term?

Yes, "lexical unit" is generally considered a formal term used in linguistics and language-related academic contexts. In more informal settings, "word" or "phrase" might be more appropriate.