phraseological unit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "phraseological unit" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in linguistics to refer to a fixed expression or a group of words that have a specific meaning together. Example: "In studying idioms, we often analyze the phraseological unit 'kick the bucket' to understand its figurative meaning."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Students are unaware of the conventionalised use of phraseological patterns involving we to perform specific functions in academic genres.

Journal of English for Academic Purposes

Field goal unit on.

The New York Times

Spokesperson's unit".

The New York Times

Sone, unit of loudness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The unit, Nos.

The New York Times

The unit feels cosy.

The Guardian

Brighton-Atlantic Unit #.

The New York Times

Just a naked unit!

The New Yorker

GPS UNIT Lose it.

The New York Times - Tech

What unit?" "Special Forces".

The New Yorker

Hertz, unit of frequency.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing academically, use "phraseological unit" to refer to fixed expressions or groups of words with specific meanings. This term is particularly relevant in linguistics and corpus studies.

Common error

Avoid using "phraseological unit" as a general term for any phrase. It specifically refers to fixed, conventionalized expressions with a distinct meaning or function.

Linguistic Context

The term "phraseological unit" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It serves to identify and categorize specific types of multi-word expressions with fixed meanings. Ludwig indicates that it is a valid term for linguistic analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

Academia

25%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "phraseological unit" refers to a fixed expression or a group of words that functions as a single unit of meaning, commonly used in linguistics and corpus analysis. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. It is mostly found in scientific and academic contexts. Related terms include "fixed expression", "idiomatic expression", and "lexical item". When using this term, remember it refers to specific, conventionalized expressions, not just any phrase. Overall, while not overly common, it's an accurate expression in specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

phraseologism

A synonym for phraseological unit, though less common.

fixed expression

Focuses on the fixed nature of the expression.

idiomatic expression

Highlights the idiomatic quality of the unit.

lexical item

Broader term referring to a single word or group of words that function as a unit.

multi-word expression

Emphasizes that the unit consists of multiple words.

formulaic sequence

Highlights the patterned and predictable nature of the sequence.

conventional phrase

Focuses on the established and accepted use of the phrase.

set phrase

Emphasizes the fixed and unchanging nature of the phrase.

collocation

Refers to words that frequently appear together.

lexical bundle

Highlights the co-occurrence of words in a specific context.

FAQs

What is a "phraseological unit"?

A "phraseological unit" is a fixed expression or group of words that functions as a single unit of meaning. These units are often studied in linguistics and corpus analysis.

How does a "phraseological unit" differ from a regular phrase?

While a regular phrase is simply a group of words, a "phraseological unit" is a conventionalized expression with a meaning that may not be immediately obvious from its component words. Consider using "idiomatic expression" as alternative.

In what contexts is the term "phraseological unit" typically used?

The term "phraseological unit" is commonly used in academic writing, particularly in the fields of linguistics, corpus linguistics, and language teaching. It is very used with "lexical item".

What are some examples of "phraseological units"?

Examples of "phraseological units" include idioms like "kick the bucket", collocations like "strong coffee", and other fixed expressions that have a specific meaning as a whole. An alternative can be "fixed expression".