samples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "samples" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to small portions or examples of something, often in contexts like research, testing, or product offerings. Example: "The lab provided several samples of the new drug for testing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Association of Chief Police Officers claims that in the four years after the act became law in May 2001, the DNA samples of 8,500 people who were not convicted of an offence were later linked to 14,000 offences, including 114 murders and 116 rapes.

The Guardian - Opinion

He'd then strip them for parts, just as earlier hip-hop producers would mine funk seven-inches for samples.

The Guardian - Music

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The Guardian - Money

Nick needs to collect some samples: blood, urine and something called CSF, a clear, colourless fluid found in the brain and spine.

The Guardian

He decides a cutoff time to begin treatment, samples or not.

The Guardian

The Drinking Water Inspectorate regulates mains water (99.97% of samples pass the strict standards) while local authorities watch over bottled water plants.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Elledge estimates that the latest test, called VirScan, can process 100 samples in two to three days.

The Guardian

For example, we now do our own blood tests, we have our own lab in the accident and emergency department instead of having to send samples off.

The Guardian

They began thinking of ways to physically expand the tissue samples themselves, bringing them to the work of the late Toyoichi Tanaka, a pioneering MIT physicist who discovered "smart gels" in the 1970s.

The Guardian

It was as if hip-hop had agreed that jewellery, girls and cars were safe to rap about: the profitable gun-free future became mapped out as one long P Diddy nightmare of fur coats and samples from Police tracks, drifting into the horizon like the video of I'll Be Missing You.

The Guardian - Music

Samples from mummies in a Hungarian crypt have revealed that multiple tuberculosis strains derived from a single Roman ancestor that circulated in 18th-century Europe, scientists said Tuesday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research or testing, ensure the type of "samples" is clearly defined (e.g., blood samples, soil samples, music samples) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "samples" without specifying the context. Saying "the samples were analyzed" is less informative than "the blood samples were analyzed for viral presence."

Linguistic Context

The word "samples" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a subset or portion of a larger entity used for analysis or representation. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used across various fields to represent a larger whole for examination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "samples" is a versatile noun widely employed across various domains to denote a subset or portion of a larger entity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Primarily functioning as a noun, it serves to represent a larger population or quantity for analysis or evaluation. The term maintains a neutral register, fitting seamlessly into both formal scientific reports and informal news articles. Frequent in contexts like News & Media and Science, "samples" is an indispensable term for clear and precise communication. For alternative expressions, consider "specimens" or "samplings" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Specimens

A more formal term, often used in scientific or medical contexts.

Samplings

Implies the act of taking samples, emphasizing the process.

Excerpts

Refers to short extracts from a text or piece of music.

Fragments

Indicates small, broken pieces or parts of something.

Portions

Refers to individual quantities or servings.

Segments

Denotes distinct parts or sections of a whole.

Representations

Emphasizes that the samples are meant to be typical or indicative of something larger.

Illustrations

Indicates the samples serve as examples to clarify or explain something.

Instances

Refers to individual occurrences or cases.

Examples

A general term for instances that demonstrate a particular quality or type.

FAQs

How to use "samples" in a sentence?

"Samples" is used to refer to a subset of a population or a small quantity of something intended to represent a larger whole. For example, "We collected blood samples for testing" or "The company provided product samples for evaluation".

What can I say instead of "samples"?

You can use alternatives like "specimens", "samplings", or "examples" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "samples" or "sample"?

"Samples" is the plural form of "sample". Use "sample" when referring to a single item, and "samples" when referring to multiple items.

What's the difference between "samples" and "specimens"?

While both refer to a portion of something, "specimens" is often used in scientific or medical contexts to describe items collected for analysis, whereas "samples" can be used more broadly.