populations

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "populations" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to the people who inhabit a particular area or region, especially considered collectively. For example, "The population of the city has been steadily increasing since the introduction of new industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Health programmes for diseases such as malaria and TB are in vogue, but investment in health workers remains insufficient to meet the needs of local populations.

The Guardian

Tory insiders acknowledge that they have recently introduced eye-catching measures in areas with high immigrant populations – including adverts telling illegal immigrants to go home – as they try to hold on to white working-class and lower middle-class voters who are moving to Ukip.

The Guardian

"Our rural populations were in a black hole," he says.

The Guardian - Tech

Backup colonies, insurance populations, or captive breeding troupes – whatever your preferred term – have increasingly become the norm in amphibian conservation.

The Guardian

Harris suggests that APOBEC3H could be the target of future gene therapy, aimed at making susceptible populations more resistant to the virus.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, Muslim villages were destroyed and whole populations forced to move to accommodate European farms and industry.

The Guardian

We believe that this kind of message will resonate better with rural populations," Ike said.

The Guardian

Assuming vampires only feed once a month ("a highly conservative assumption given any Hollywood vampire film"), and that each time a vampire feasts upon a human their respective populations increase/decrease by 1, a simple geometric progression suggests that vampires would wipe out humans in approximately 2.5 years (assuming arbitrarily that the first vampire appeared in the year 1400).

The Guardian

Major flashpoints in our changing climate are gradually forcing political leaders to prepare their populations for a radically different global environment.

The Guardian

In Britain, eco-enthusiasts dream of state-sponsored organic farming, of farmers' markets supplying local produce for everyone, of city gardens feeding urban populations.

The Guardian

In a world in which cross-border student numbers are growing at twice the rate of domestic student populations, both the UK and Australia generate major export income as providers of English-language education, charging Asian and African students fees well above those paid by local students.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "populations", be specific about the group you are referring to (e.g., "urban populations", "endangered populations") to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "populations" without specifying the relevant group or context. For example, instead of simply stating "Populations are growing", specify "Urban populations are growing rapidly in developing countries".

Linguistic Context

Populations functions primarily as a plural noun, referring to groups of people, animals, or plants inhabiting a particular area. According to Ludwig, it accurately describes groups studied across various contexts. The usage examples from Ludwig show its role in discussing health, demographics, and environmental concerns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "populations" is a versatile plural noun used to describe groups of people, animals, or plants. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across diverse fields. Its usage spans news, scientific research, and formal reports, demanding precision in defining the specific group under consideration. Related terms like "inhabitants" or "communities" offer alternative perspectives, while specifying context avoids overgeneralization. Overall, "populations" remains a fundamental term in various disciplines.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inhabitants

This term refers to the people or animals that live in a particular place or region. It's a direct synonym focusing on residency.

communities

This emphasizes the social aspect of groups living in a particular area, focusing on their interactions and shared characteristics.

demographics

This term relates to the statistical characteristics of human populations, such as age, race, and income.

people

A general term referring to a group of humans, often used when discussing a broad segment of society.

residents

This term refers to people who live in a particular place; it focuses on their status as dwellers.

denizens

Similar to residents but can also imply a sense of belonging or familiarity with a place.

nation

Refers to a large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular state or territory.

species

While typically used in biology, this term can refer to a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.

the public

This refers to the general population or community, often in the context of public services or opinions.

aggregation of individuals

A more formal and descriptive way of referring to a group of people or living things, emphasizing their collective existence.

FAQs

How is "populations" used in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, "populations" refers to groups of organisms, often within a specific geographic area. It's essential to define the "populations" /s/population you are studying clearly and consistently.

What's the difference between "populations" and /s/communities?

"Populations" refers to the number of individuals in a group, while "communities" emphasizes the social interactions and shared environment of those individuals.

What are some synonyms for "populations" in academic contexts?

In academic writing, you can use "demographics", "inhabitants", or "residents" as synonyms for "populations", depending on the specific focus.

How does the term "populations" apply to discussions about climate change?

"Populations" are often discussed in the context of climate change regarding displacement, vulnerability, and adaptation strategies. Climate change impacts different "populations" unevenly, requiring targeted interventions.