pockets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pockets" can be correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used when referring to small bags or compartments in clothing or when discussing financial resources or savings. Example: "She reached into her pockets to find some change for the vending machine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Business

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is easy to mock the idea of Cameron standing up for the toiling masses while the pockets of his Old Etonian tailcoat bulge with hedge-funded millions.

The Guardian - Opinion

The rise in GDP was supported by tailwinds from falling fuel prices, which put extra cash into consumers' pockets, and the export-boosting drop in the value of the euro.

The Guardian - Business

While we bomb Isis, Assad spares it and prefers to barrel-bomb Syrian civilians in the pockets of territory still controlled by the rebels fighting his rule.

The Guardian - Opinion

More intriguing is the Mag Surf, developed by people in white coats with pockets ostentatiously festooned with pens, which is based on excitingly Back to the Future-type things such as superconductors, and flux tubes.

The Guardian - Film

Those employers that have implemented the policy - including an increasing number in the private sector - report that the extra money put into the pockets of their employees is more than made up for by the savings they make as a result of improved recruitment and retention, and the benefits to their business of the boost it gives to staff morale and engagement.

The Guardian

But the OMM Ultra 15 worked well – the two side pockets held a couple of 600ml bottles – one for plain water and the other for water with Nuun electrolyte tablets.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"In Glasgow, we're seen to be managers of the system and the system is delivering less and less," one tells me, adding that there are pockets of the city that are "culturally anti-Labour now and just can't be spoken to".

The Guardian

As Howe said on Monday, this is for all those fans who put their hands in their pockets time and again to keep the club alive – fans like my dad, who gave £1,000 from his savings when we were minutes from extinction in 1997 – knowing they would probably never get it back.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of course, these are pockets of misery in a huge continent.

The Guardian

We have sensors in our pockets that track us everywhere we go.

The Guardian

However, Coyle believes that outside pockets of strong support Hughes is vulnerable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing financial situations, consider using "pockets" to represent available funds or resources, adding a tangible feel to the discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "pockets" when referring to large-scale economic concepts or complex financial systems; it is more appropriate for describing individual or small-scale monetary holdings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pockets" is as a plural noun, referring to multiple pouches or compartments, as Ludwig AI confirms. It can also function as a verb in its third person singular form, "pockets", meaning to put something in one's pocket.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Opinion

15%

Lifestyle

12%

Less common in

Business

10%

Travel

8%

Sport

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "pockets" is a versatile term, predominantly used as a plural noun, denoting pouches or compartments, and less frequently as a verb. As Ludwig AI shows, it commonly appears in News & Media, Opinion, and Lifestyle contexts, indicating its wide acceptance and usage. The phrase is grammatically sound, with a neutral register making it suitable for various communication settings. While "pockets" effectively conveys ideas related to physical storage, financial means, or localized areas, it's crucial to avoid misusing it in overly abstract contexts. Alternative terms like "pouches", "funds", or "small areas" can provide more precise meanings depending on the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pouches

Refers to small bags or compartments, similar to one sense of "pockets".

small compartments

Specifies the physical structure of "pockets" more explicitly.

recesses

Indicates small spaces or areas, akin to "pockets" in a metaphorical sense.

financial resources

Focuses on the financial aspect often associated with "pockets".

small areas

Refers to localized regions or zones, like "pockets" of something.

funds

Emphasizes the money aspect that can be held in "pockets".

localised regions

Similar to "small areas" but more geographically descriptive.

cash reserves

Highlights available money, similar to what might be carried in "pockets".

confined spaces

Emphasizes spatial limitation akin to areas being described as "pockets".

personal savings

Implies readily available money, which could be symbolically linked to "pockets".

FAQs

How can I use "pockets" in a sentence?

You can use "pockets" to refer to physical pouches in clothing, as in "He reached into his pockets for his keys", or metaphorically, to describe areas where something is concentrated, such as "pockets of poverty".

What are some alternatives to using "pockets"?

Depending on the context, you could use "pouches", "compartments", "recesses", or when referring to money, "funds" or "financial resources".

Is it correct to use "pockets" to describe geographical areas?

Yes, "pockets" can be used metaphorically to describe specific regions or areas, especially when they are isolated or distinct in some way, such as "pockets of resistance" or "pockets of innovation".

What's the difference between saying "deep pockets" and "substantial funds"?

"Deep pockets" is an idiom that suggests someone has significant financial resources or the ability to spend large amounts of money. "Substantial funds" is a more formal and direct way of expressing the same idea.