school

USAGE SUMMARY

'school' is correct and very much usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun, verb, or adjective when talking about education, learning, knowledge, or related topics. Example: My father taught at an elementary school for many years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He renamed months of the year in honour of himself and his mother, and wrote a lifestyle guide, the Ruhnama, which became required reading for high school and university students.

The Guardian

In a reference to Cameron's inner circle, she added: "I don't hold the fact that someone went to public school against them.

The Guardian

I don't hold [against them] the fact that they haven't had the breadth of experience that some of us who didn't go to public school have had.

The Guardian

Among them is Holly Dolan, a "school healthcare educator," who came down from Pennsylvania because of her "frustration at the lack of understanding of the reforms".

The Guardian

But poor children in Stoke-on-Trent start school two years behind their peers in leafier parts of the country.

The Guardian

"Even as he was encouraging young people to reach for greater heights for themselves, he was working to attain his own educational goals," the school said.

The Guardian

Teachers who obsessively police school uniforms might also do well to bear this in mind.

The Guardian - Opinion

The answer is not for "formal" education to begin earlier, but the evidence in favour of state funding for play-based, nursery settings from the age of two – followed by a gentle transition into school life – is clear.

The Guardian - Opinion

A local school is using rooms in the building during the week (providing income) and a charitable foundation is running children's activities.

The Guardian - Books

Our library is housed in the old primary school hall.

The Guardian - Books

When school groups come, it is sometimes half full.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always consider your audience and the context when choosing alternative phrases like "educational institution", "place of learning", or "academy". Each carries slightly different connotations.

Common error

Avoid using "school" as a catch-all term when specific details are necessary. For instance, instead of saying "He went to school", specify whether it was "high school", "university", or a "vocational school" for better precision.

Linguistic Context

The word "school" primarily functions as a noun, referring to an institution of learning. However, Ludwig AI also identifies its use as a verb, meaning to educate or train. As a noun, it denotes a place dedicated to teaching and learning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "school" is a versatile word primarily used as a noun to denote an educational institution, but also functions as a verb meaning to educate. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and very common in everyday language. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a broad spectrum of contexts, from news reports and academic papers to casual conversations. Common alternatives include "educational institution", "academy", and "place of learning". When using "school", ensure clarity by specifying the type of school (e.g., "high school", "university") and tailoring your language to the formality of the setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

educational institution

Focuses on the formal structure and purpose of teaching.

place of learning

Emphasizes the environment where knowledge is acquired.

learning center

Highlights resources and activities available for education.

academy

Suggests a specialized or prestigious institution.

college

Refers specifically to post-secondary education.

university

Indicates a higher-level educational institution offering degrees.

institute

Implies a focus on research or technical training.

establishment of education

A more formal and broad term for any place of education.

institution of learning

Similar to "educational institution" but slightly more formal.

training center

Focuses on practical skills and vocational training.

FAQs

How can I use "school" in a sentence?

You can use "school" as a noun referring to an educational institution, as in "She attends a private school", or as a verb meaning to educate or train, such as "He was schooled in the classics".

What are some alternatives to the word "school"?

Depending on the context, you can use "educational institution", "academy", "college", or "university" instead of "school".

What is the difference between "school" and "academy"?

"School" is a general term for any place of education, while "academy" often refers to a specialized institution focused on specific skills or arts.

How does the use of "school" differ in formal versus informal contexts?

In formal contexts, it's often better to use specific terms like "educational institution" or the actual name of the institution. In informal settings, "school" is perfectly acceptable as a general reference.