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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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records

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "records" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to documents, data, or information that is stored or maintained for reference or evidence. Example: "The company keeps detailed records of all transactions for auditing purposes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People would pay their taxes when they buy things and wouldn't need to worry about keeping records or filing tax returns at all.

News & Media

The New York Times

The first academic casualty of the Boston College-Jean McConville furore has been a parallel project which was to involve a London-based historian and an ex-RUC officer as well as retired members of the Garda Siochana in the Irish Republic, all with long records in fighting terrorism.

News & Media

The Guardian

When asked to respond to Simon Cowell's recent comment that Clarkson "started to fight against what made her successful … one minute she wants to make pop records, and then she doesn't," she laughs loudly again, but there's a distinct flash of anger as she says: "Everyone's aware that My Life Would Suck Without You and Already Gone were huge pop hits, right?

"I'm for looking at all of the terrorists' records – I just want their name on the warrant and I just want it to be signed by a judge just like the constitution says".

News & Media

The Guardian

Renewal of the expiring Patriot Act powers would come through the USA Freedom Act, a House-passed bill that extends their lifespan in exchange for killing the bulk US phone records surveillance exposed in 2013 by the Guardian, thanks to whistleblower Edward Snowden.

News & Media

The Guardian

"Based on historic and global track records, trying to build a new city from scratch is a massive gamble," says Brent Toderian, Vancouver's former chief planner, and a consultant for several cities outside of the Middle East.

News & Media

The Guardian

As New York's skyscrapers set new height records, mayor Bill de Blasio has also proposed building 80,000 units of affordable housing over the next 10 years, much of it accomplished by building higher.

News & Media

The Guardian

The US Senate on Tuesday passed a bill to end the bulk collection of millions of Americans' phone records, ushering in the country's most significant surveillance reform since 1978 two years after NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden's revelations to the Guardian.

News & Media

The Guardian

Blair's A Journey sold 92,060 copies in its first four days on sale last week, according to Nielsen BookScan – the best ever opening week sale for an autobiography since the book sales monitor's records began, in 1998, and well ahead of Mandelson's The Third Man's performance, which sold 14,960 copies in three days when it was published in July.

I even like the records that aren't supposed to be very good, like Be Here Now.

News & Media

The Guardian

In his speech Clegg will also promise: "We won't hold your internet and email records when there is just no reason to do so.

News & Media

The Guardian
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "records" in legal or official contexts, ensure they are accurate, complete, and securely stored. Regular audits and backups are also essential to maintain data integrity and accessibility.

Common error

Avoid using the singular form "record" when referring to multiple instances. "Record" should be used for a single entry, while "records" is the correct plural form. For example, use "The company maintains detailed records" not "The company maintains detailed record".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

97%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "records" is as a plural noun. It commonly refers to a collection of documented information, data, or accounts. This is consistent with Ludwig's examples, which showcase its use in contexts like medical records, phone records, and historical records.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "records" functions primarily as a plural noun denoting a collection of documented information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it is suitable for a broad range of registers, it is most commonly found in professional and neutral settings. When using "records", it's important to ensure accuracy and differentiate it from the singular form "record". Consider alternatives like "documents" or "data" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Therefore, "records" is a versatile and widely accepted term for referring to stored information.

FAQs

How to use "records" in a sentence?

You can use "records" to refer to documents, data, or information that is stored or maintained. For example: "The company keeps detailed records of all transactions", or "The police maintain records of criminal activity".

What can I say instead of "records"?

You can use alternatives like "documents", "files", or "data" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "records" or "record"?

"Records" is the plural form and should be used when referring to multiple entries or items. "Record" is singular and used for a single entry. For example, "These are important records" vs. "This is an important record".

What's the difference between "records" and "archives"?

"Records" generally refers to current or actively used information, while "archives" typically refers to historical or preserved information that is no longer actively used but retained for long-term value or historical purposes.

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Most frequent sentences: