pictures

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'pictures' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a plural noun that refers to visual representations or images. You can use the word 'pictures' when referring to a collection of photographs, paintings, or other graphic images. For example: - I love looking at old family pictures. - The museum has an impressive display of famous paintings and sculptures. - Do you have any pictures from your vacation? - I'm going to hang some pictures on the wall to decorate the room. - The magazine features stunning pictures of nature and wildlife.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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The Guardian

Pictures can be doctored, but in general you can tell when one is real if you are there, from who posted it, how quickly it tallies with verbal reports, and so on.

The Guardian - Opinion

But watching over a ten-minute period, the demand for pictures was mainly for Romney.

The Guardian

Basically, it is good news that Birdman and The Grand Budapest Hotel have performed so strongly: excellent films in that "indie-literate" middle ground that many in the industry have been worrying had been neglected in the general rush to big-budget, big-box-office superhero pictures.

The Guardian - Film

Related: Sir Bradley Wiggins smashes Alex Dowsett's hour record – in pictures The Hour is better known for pressure of a different kind: the relentless need for the rider to maintain an even pace, while on the edge of cracking.

The Guardian - Sport

At the Sea Life aquarium in Auckland, New Zealand, Sony technicians working with the aquarium's animal trainers taught Rambo, a female octopus, to press the shutter on a special camera and take pictures of the visiting public (each photo sells for $NZ2 to support the aquarium's conservation programmes).

The Guardian

Yosemite duo complete world's toughest climb Climbing El Capitan – in pictures.

The Guardian

There were pictures of the Capitol Building, and the Malacon, a bust of Hemingway overlooking the sea.

The Guardian - Music

Related: Australia through the eyes of Wayne Quilliam — in pictures But after meeting so many strong women who have experienced discrimination based on gender as well as race, has the photographer learned much?

The Guardian - Arts

Their awkwardness at black people protesting the death of Eric Garner at the hands of the police, meanwhile, is clear evidence of the racism that keeps pictures like Selma off ballot sheets.

The Guardian - Film

"We took some wedding pictures here and we got married here at TPC.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about visual content, be specific: use "photographs" when referring to camera-captured images, and "illustrations" for drawings or artwork. This adds clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "pictures" as a one-size-fits-all term. While acceptable, it lacks precision. Instead, choose more descriptive words like "photographs", "illustrations", or "images" depending on the specific context to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pictures" is as a plural noun. It serves as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to multiple visual representations. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous example sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Arts

25%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Tech

5%

Books

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pictures" functions primarily as a plural noun, referring to various forms of visual representation, including photographs, illustrations, and other images. Its usage is common across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Arts, and Lifestyle. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English, suggesting it's a versatile term. When aiming for precision, consider alternatives like "photographs" or "illustrations". Avoid generic use by using it accurately to enhance clarity. Leading sources like The Guardian and The New York Times frequently employ the term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

photographs

Direct synonym referring to images captured by a camera.

photos

Shortened, informal version of "photographs".

images

Broader term encompassing various visual representations, not limited to photographs.

visuals

Emphasizes the visual aspect of the representation.

illustrations

Refers to drawings or artwork used to explain or decorate.

artwork

Focuses on the artistic aspect of the visual representation.

scenes

Refers to specific views or settings, especially in movies or plays.

shots

Informal term for individual photographs or film segments.

representations

General term referring to anything that stands for something else visually.

depictions

Emphasizes the act of portraying something visually.

FAQs

How can I use "pictures" in a sentence?

"Pictures" is a plural noun used to refer to visual representations. For example, "I enjoy looking at old family pictures", or "The gallery displays a variety of modern pictures".

What are some synonyms for "pictures"?

Synonyms for "pictures" include "photographs", "photos", and "images". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "pictures" or "photographs"?

Both "pictures" and "photographs" are correct, but "photographs" is more specific, referring exclusively to images taken with a camera. "Pictures" is a broader term that can include paintings, drawings, and other visual representations.

What is the difference between "pictures" and "images"?

"Pictures" is often used to refer to physical or digital representations that are intended to depict something, whereas "images" is a more general term that encompasses any visual representation, including abstract or non-representational visuals.