names

USAGE SUMMARY

“names” is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a noun to refer to a specific person or persons, or to refer to a list or set of things. For example, “I have learned so many names while researching my family tree.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The supposedly leaked list contained the names of Kate Winslet (Holy Smoke) and Gwyneth Paltrow (The Talented Mr Ripley) as nominees but neither appeared in the final lists.

The Guardian - Film

No names.

The Economist

Full details of the judging process and the names of the judges are available on request to [email protected].

The Guardian

Now she panics whenever she forgets names and dates, which makes her feel worse.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Where hay rattle has stemmed the vigour of grasses, wildflowers are benefiting; one of many farming names for this plant was "poverty".

The Guardian

Brands, as he pointed out, were far more than memorable names for modest little things in tins and packets, advertised in traditional mass media.

The Guardian

· · Niyazov, who was appointed president for life in 1999, changed the names of the months in honour of members of his own family.

The Guardian

Related: Liberal Democrat candidates support Tim Farron as the party's next leader One hundred and eleven Lib Dems who to stood for parliament on 7 May have put their names to the letter, which argues that the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale is the best candidate to rebuild the party after it lost 48 of its 56 MPs.

The Guardian

It is not the first time BBC journalists have had problems with politicians' names – Jim Naughtie infamously managed to mispronounce the name of the then culture secretary, Jeremy Hunt, on Radio 4's Today programme.

The Guardian

A Minnesota national guardsman faces federal fraud charges in connection with the theft of names, social security numbers and security clearance levels of roughly 400 members of his former army unit in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

The Guardian

Lake said that during his time at the department "there were emails I saw sent around with lists of client names, IDs, language names, IDs, family make-up that were emailed to dozens of people at times".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a list of individuals, ensure you use "names" accurately to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The list included the names of all participants" is clearer than "The list included all participants."

Common error

Avoid using "names" as a verb when a more specific verb like "identifies", "mentions", or "cites" would be more appropriate for clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The word "names" primarily functions as a plural noun. It refers to multiple identifiers, often of people, places, or things. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts such as lists of nominees, client identifiers, and historical references.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "names" functions primarily as a plural noun, used to identify or refer to individuals or entities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, noting its frequent usage in news and media contexts. While "names" is generally appropriate across various registers, it’s important to consider context and choose more specific verbs when needed. To enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity, use "names" accurately when listing individuals and consider alternatives like "designations" or "identifications" depending on the specific context. With a source quality score of 95, this analysis provides a reliable guide to using "names" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

designations

Focuses on the act of assigning a name or title.

appellations

Highlights a formal term for a name or title.

titles

Emphasizes the formal or official names.

identifications

Emphasizes the act of establishing who or what something is.

nomenclatures

Refers to a system of names or terms, or the body of names.

labels

Highlights names that are used for categorization or classification.

denominations

Focuses on names used for categories or types, especially religious groups.

terms

Refers to specific words or phrases used to describe something.

nicknames

Highlights informal or familiar names.

pseudonyms

Emphasizes the use of fictitious or alternative names.

FAQs

How can I use "names" in a sentence?

You can use "names" in sentences such as, "The database contains the "names" of all registered users", or "She remembered all the "names" from the conference".

What is the difference between "names" and "titles"?

"Names" generally refer to personal or specific identifiers, while "titles" are often formal designations or ranks. For example, "The book lists the "names" of the characters" versus "The document displays the "titles" of the executives".

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "designations", "identifications", or "appellations" instead of "names".

Is it correct to use "names" as a verb?

While "name" can be used as a verb, "names" is typically used as a plural noun. Using "names" as a verb is grammatically incorrect. Instead, consider using "name", "identify", or "designate" as verbs.