photographs

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "photographs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to images that have been taken by a camera. For example: "I have some old photographs from my grandfather's childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Levene, one of the Guardian's award-winning photographers, has been taking photographs for the Guardian's pioneering Eyewitness series since it began in 2005.

The Guardian

This spring the photographer Dominick Tyler is publishing Uncommon Ground, which pairs 100 place words with 100 photographs of the phenomena to which the words refer, from arête ("a sharp-edged mountain ridge, often between two glacier-carved corries") to zawn (a Cornish term for a "wave-smashed chasm in a cliff").

The Guardian - Books

The official, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue, said photographs from North Korea showing a rocket launched from the sea appeared to be authentic.

The Guardian

Read profiles of our 10 chosen charities, see our pick of their photographs and make a donation in the Christmas Charity Appeal area of our site.

The Guardian

When Cauchetier began taking set photographs in the late 1950s, the job was to stand unobtrusively next to the cameraman, take a quick snap at the end of a scene and make yourself scarce.

The Guardian - Arts

"You get more old photographs of fishermen than any other workers – they had them done to leave some record in case they drowned," she said.

The Guardian - Arts

The forum's website carries photographs of Hockey and says: "On behalf of Joe Hockey I encourage you to join the North Sydney Forum and to offer your practical support to Joe Hockey".

The Guardian

And I think that, at the end of our lives, it's the photographs we will remember.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It published photographs of some of the signatories on its front page, over the headline: "Traitors".

The Guardian

Figures including the Yekaterinburg mayor, Yevgeny Roizman, have criticised the punishment given to the Novorossiysk women and Facebook users have expressed their support for the women by posting photographs of locals swimming, sunbathing and drinking alcohol on the beach next to the monument.

The Guardian

A: Please send requests for listings to [email protected] Q: I would like to submit photographs to your picture desk.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing collections of images, use "photographs" for a formal tone and "photos" for an informal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "photograph" as the plural form. The correct plural is "photographs". Saying "I have many photograph" is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "photographs" is as a plural noun. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to multiple visual representations created through photography. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Arts

1%

Lifestyle

1%

Less common in

Travel

0%

Books

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "photographs" functions as a grammatically correct plural noun, denoting multiple images captured via photography. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "photos" offers a more informal alternative, "photographs" maintains a neutral register suitable for a wide range of communication. Remember to use the plural verb form with "photographs" and avoid using "photograph" as a plural. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively incorporate "photographs" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pictures

A more general term that encompasses various types of visual depictions, including drawings and paintings, not just those captured by a camera.

images

Similar to "pictures" but often used in a more technical or digital context.

photos

A shortened, more informal version of "photographs".

snapshots

Implies quickly taken, often informal, photographs.

prints

Refers specifically to physical copies of photographs.

visuals

A broader term that can include videos and other types of visual media.

illustrations

While not directly related, in some contexts, photographs serve an illustrative purpose.

depictions

A formal term referring to representations, which can include photographs.

likenesses

Refers to representations that closely resemble the subject, which photographs often aim to do.

recordings

Photographs are visual recordings of moments in time.

FAQs

How do I use "photographs" in a sentence?

"Photographs" is the plural form of "photograph" and is used to refer to multiple images taken by a camera. For example, "I have a collection of old "pictures" that I found in the attic." Or "The museum is displaying a series of stunning "images" from the war."

What's the difference between "photographs" and "photos"?

Both "photographs" and "photos" refer to images taken by a camera, but "photographs" is the full, formal term, while "photos" is a shortened, more informal version. Use "photographs" in formal writing and "photos" in casual conversation or informal writing.

What are some synonyms for "photographs"?

Synonyms for "photographs" include "pictures", "images", "photos", and "snapshots". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "photographs are" or "photographs is"?

Because "photographs" is a plural noun, it requires a plural verb form. Therefore, it is correct to say "photographs are". For example, "The "pictures" are displayed in the gallery."