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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
residue
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The word "residue" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that means a small amount of something that remains after the majority of it has been used, taken away, or dispersed. For example, "After the visitors had left, there was a residue of crumbs and food scraps on the table."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
The judge described how the CCRC obtained its own scientific evidence and referred George's case to the appeal court on the grounds that there was a real possibility that the evidence of gunshot residue "does not now attract the value attributed to it at trial, and therefore does not support the identification evidence".
News & Media
When emotions are observed, not suppressed or amplified, they filter through quicker, leaving a smaller residue behind.
News & Media
Perhaps it's related to "emotional residue", which describes the way we can't help thinking of rooms previously occupied by sad people as having a sad vibe.
News & Media
But thousands went abroad to the United States, Mexico and the Persian Gulf, and to farther-flung places like Malaysia and Kazakhstan.Many headed to Alberta, in Canada, where the tar sands yield a residue that is similar to the heavy oil from the Orinoco belt, which Venezuela is struggling to develop.
News & Media
British political parties used to attract the masses too, but are now over-dependent on a residue of ageing enthusiasts who stick by them despite lacking obvious reasons to do so.All three main parties worry openly about the state of their organisations.
News & Media
Mr Whitley alleges that Coke fiddled a marketing test for a new product, moved $4m into a slush fund to lower the price of expensive new machines, let those machines leech metal residue into dispensed drinks, improperly capitalised payments to bottlers, mis-stated net operating revenues and then fired him when he reported it all to Steven Heyer, Coke's chief operating officer.
News & Media
In addition, both developed and developing countries generate vast quantities of construction and demolition debris, industrial effluent, mine tailings, sewage residue and agricultural waste.
News & Media
The 32 men who are now at Woodhill are the most difficult residue out of a long-term prison population of 21,000, of whom 3,000 are housed in high-security prisons.Coping with exceptionally disruptive or dangerous prisoners is certainly an acutely difficult problem.
News & Media
But the ethanol industry, which is made up of a large number of private companies, worries about the growing clout of Petrobras.The ethanol industry has an impressive record of innovation, including electricity generation from cane residue and the development of bioplastics.
News & Media
The residue acts like a blanket, lowering the soil temperature by a degree or so in the tropics (and thus helping to combat the effects of global warming).
News & Media
The amount of pesticide residue in our food is too small to be harmful.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "residue" in scientific contexts, specify the exact type of residue (e.g., chemical residue, pesticide residue) for clarity.
Common error
Avoid using "residue" as an adjective. "Residue" is a noun referring to what remains. The adjective form is "residual", as in "residual income".
Source & Trust
92%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The primary grammatical function of "residue" is as a noun. It denotes the remaining quantity or substance after a process has removed the main part. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "residue" acts as the subject or object of a sentence.
Frequent in
News & Media
45%
Science
30%
Formal & Business
15%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
3%
Wiki
4%
Reference
3%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The word "residue" functions primarily as a noun, denoting what remains after a process or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. While applicable across various contexts, it is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Scientific domains. When using "residue", it's essential to specify the type of residue for clarity and avoid confusing it with the adjective "residual". Related terms include "remains", "remnant", and "sediment", each carrying slightly different nuances. Overall, "residue" is a versatile term for describing remnants, though careful consideration of context ensures its precise application.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
remaining part
Focuses on the portion that is left after something is removed.
leftover material
Highlights the tangible remains of a process or substance.
residual matter
Emphasizes the persistent quality of the remaining substance.
remaining traces
Indicates small quantities or signs that something was present.
dregs
Implies the least desirable or valuable part remaining.
sediment
Refers to solid material that settles at the bottom of a liquid.
remnants
Highlights fragments or small pieces left behind.
aftermath
Focuses on the consequences or effects that remain after an event.
balance
Indicates the amount remaining to make up a whole.
remains
General term for what is left after something has been used or consumed.
FAQs
How is "residue" typically used in a sentence?
The word "residue" typically functions as a noun. For example, "The test showed a pesticide residue in the sample."
What are some synonyms for "residue"?
What is the difference between "residue" and "residuals"?
"Residue" refers to a remaining substance or effect, while "residuals" often refers to continuing rights or payments, particularly in entertainment or business contexts.
When should I use "residue" versus another word like "debris" or "waste"?
"Residue" implies a smaller amount left behind, often after a process. "Debris" refers to scattered fragments or wreckage, while "waste" describes unwanted or unusable material.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
92%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested