sample

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sample' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun to refer to a small part of something, usually a product or a material, which is used as a representation of the whole, or as a verb to refer to selecting a small part of something for inspection or testing. Example sentence: The doctor requested a sample of my blood for testing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What Carver has done is invite his abusers to sample some finest Darjeeling.

The Guardian - Sport

He only admitted the murder of Roy Tutill more than 30 years later when he was caught drink-driving in 1999 and his DNA matched that of a sample found on the dead boy's trousers.

The Guardian

Here's what we've learned, from what is admittedly a very small sample of the entire Academy.

The Guardian - Film

In these sub divisions of the ComRes sample the numbers asked get pretty small, but the patterns and contrasts still catch the eye.

The Guardian

According to Twitter, they weren't the only ones to sample the 1977 hit – Franz Ferdinand also got in on the action.

The Guardian - Music

"We asked for a valid sample," Wilson said, adding the department had asked for results from both single and dual parent families.

The Guardian

There's also a sample at Cardiff University, where Andrew Westwell, a brilliant chemist at the WEDINOS project, a Welsh government-funded initiative that tracks and identifies new drugs.

The Guardian

There weren't too may other scowling faces to be seen in the hotel we stayed at, with most guests happy with their lot and unperturbed by the fact that their all-inclusive holiday meant they did not get the chance to sample other cuisines away from the hotel.

The Guardian - Travel

With its double-size sample, the final poll gives more scope than usual for looking for difference in voting patterns across different types of parliamentary seat.

The Guardian

Nick has to catheterise Alice to get a urine sample, but there is so little urine in her bladder that the team have to administer extra fluids to help things along.

The Guardian

And lots of places to enjoy the view, like this platform that looks a bit like a decking sample at the garden centre.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sample" as a verb when you mean taking a small portion to try or analyze something, differentiating it from similar terms like 'taste' which is primarily for food.

Common error

Avoid using a small "sample" size in surveys or studies and generalizing results to the entire population; ensure your "sample" accurately represents the whole to derive meaningful insights.

Linguistic Context

The word "sample" functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to a subset of a population or a small part of something intended to represent the whole. As a verb, it means to take or test a small quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "sample" functions effectively as both a noun and a verb, serving diverse roles from scientific analysis to casual tasting. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is correct and usable in written English. Its frequency across various sources, particularly News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, underscores its versatility. While the register varies with context, the most common error involves misinterpreting "sample" size in research. Remember to use "sample" precisely, ensuring it accurately represents the whole for meaningful results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specimen

Refers to a specific item taken for examination or analysis, often in scientific contexts.

taste

Implies experiencing a small amount of food or drink to evaluate its flavor.

try out

Suggests testing or experiencing something to assess its suitability or effectiveness.

examine

Involves a detailed inspection or investigation to determine the quality or nature of something.

inspect

Implies a careful and critical observation to identify any flaws or issues.

check out

Suggests briefly investigating something to form an initial impression.

test

Involves a formal procedure to determine the characteristics or capabilities of something.

portion

Denotes a specific quantity or amount of something, often in the context of food.

excerpt

Refers to a selected passage from a longer text, used to illustrate or represent the whole.

representation

Indicates something serving as a typical example of a broader group or category.

FAQs

How can I use "sample" in a sentence?

You can use "sample" as a noun, like in "This is a sample of the new product", or as a verb, like in "I'd like to sample the wine before buying a bottle".

What's a good synonym for "sample" when referring to a small quantity of something?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms such as "specimen", "portion", or "excerpt".

When is it appropriate to use "sample" as a verb?

Use "sample" as a verb when you want to convey the act of trying or experiencing a small portion of something, such as to "sample" a new dish at a restaurant.

Is there a difference between "sample" and "specimen"?

"Sample" is a general term for a small part or quantity intended to show what the whole is like. "Specimen" typically refers to a sample taken for scientific examination or analysis.