loci

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'loci' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a plural form of the word 'locus', which refers to a specific place or location. For example, you could say "The loci of the incidents were spread across the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The big data-mining companies play this game of lex loci server all the time: "Oh we are not really in country X, we're in California, that's where our computers are".

The Guardian - Tech

Rather, they are the tail ends of statistical distributions that reflect the shuffling of myriad, tiny genetic effects called quantitative-trait loci, whose true nature is not yet understood.

The Economist

It is indeed a weakness of the current state of knowledge that individual quantitative-trait loci have not yet shown up.

The Economist

Instead, Ms Asbury and Mr Plomin prescribe a revolution and an expensive one, at that.Their big idea is that, because of all those quantitative-trait loci, every child needs a unique curriculum.

The Economist

The paper's authors are thus able to say that three-quarters of the loci they fingered contain a gene or genes, and a further 8% are close to one.

The Economist

And just this week a paper in Psychiatric Genetics, on a single glutamate-related gene, GRM3, has shown it is connected both to schizophrenia and depression, and also to alcoholism.It will therefore be interesting to repeat the approach this study used to try to create comprehensive lists of loci for these other conditions.

The Economist

The result is the most comprehensive investigation so far of the genetics of a psychiatric disorder.Locus standiAltogether, the paper's authors have discovered 108 places in the human genome, known as loci, where a change in a single DNA "letter" (a single nucleotide polymorphism, or SNP) correlates with the manifestation of schizophrenia.

The Economist

In addition, it is precisely because Shenzhen is a hub of innovative IT production (and not high-end research) that it is now the loci of the most feverish hardware startup activity worldwide.

The Economist

If the two loci are perfectly linked, then the set of gametes produced by the A1B1 / A2B2 double heterozygote has the composition {½ A1B1, ½ A2B2}; this means that if a gamete receives the A1 allele at the A locus, it necessarily receives the B1 allele at the B locus and vice versa.

SEP

It is easy to see that r = ½ means that the loci are unlinked, so all four gamete types are produced in equal proportion, while r = 0 means that they are perfectly linked.

SEP

There is an alternative body of theory, known as quantitative genetics, which deals with so-called 'polygenic' or 'continuous' traits, such as height, which are thought to be affected by genes at many different loci in the genome, rather than just one or two; see Falconer (1995) for a good introduction.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic or formal writing, use "loci" instead of more general terms like "locations" to maintain precision, especially when referring to established concepts in genetics, rhetoric, or philosophy.

Common error

Avoid using "loci" in contexts where a simple term like "locations" or "places" suffices. "Loci" carries a specific technical meaning in fields like genetics and rhetoric; using it loosely can dilute its impact and introduce ambiguity. Ensure your audience will understand the intended specialized context before using it.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "loci" is as a plural noun. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves as the plural form of "locus", denoting multiple locations or points, particularly in specialized contexts such as genetics, rhetoric, and philosophy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "loci" is the plural form of "locus", primarily used to denote multiple specific locations in technical and academic contexts such as genetics, rhetoric, and philosophy. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is frequently found in scientific and news media sources. When writing, it's important to use "loci" in contexts where its precision and technical meaning are relevant, avoiding its use in more general or informal situations where simpler terms like "locations" or "sites" would be more appropriate. The most authoritative sources that exemplify correct usage include The Economist, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

locations

A more general term for places or positions.

sites

Refers to specific places, often with a particular purpose or characteristic.

positions

Indicates a specific point or place, often in a sequence or arrangement.

places

A common and broad term for locations.

areas

Denotes regions or spaces, often larger than individual points.

spots

Refers to specific, often small, locations.

venues

Places where events or activities occur.

locales

Describes a place, especially with reference to its characteristics or events associated with it.

settings

The place or type of surroundings where something is positioned or where an event takes place.

regions

Parts of the world, space, or body.

FAQs

How is "loci" used in genetics?

In genetics, "loci" refers to multiple specific locations on a chromosome or within a genome where genes or genetic markers are found. It's crucial for mapping genes and understanding genetic traits.

Can "loci" be used outside of scientific contexts?

While primarily used in scientific and academic fields like genetics and rhetoric, using it in general contexts may sound overly formal or precise. Simpler terms like "locations" or "sites" are often more appropriate.

What's the singular form of "loci"?

The singular form of "loci" is "locus", which refers to a single location or point.

What are some alternatives to using the word "loci"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "locations", "positions", "sites", or "places". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.