shares

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shares" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to the act of distributing or communicating information, resources, or ownership. Example: "The company shares its profits with employees through bonuses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The food market, while it shares that trait that everybody's in it, it is not a market in which your participation is often unpredictable and often involuntary".

The New York Times

The shares have underperformed the market by 6% in the last three months and now trade at a discount to the oil service peers.

The Guardian - Business

NOT everyone shares this view.

The New York Times

Based on his personal knowledge of Ryan, Klein shares some tips for Vice President Joe Biden in the run-up to tonight's debate: First, he's smart.

The Guardian

It said: "The ANC in parliament appreciates and shares the anxiety of the families and others affected by the tragic events at Marikana regarding the public release of the report.

The Guardian

Wood, the multimillionaire who made his fortune founding travel and accommodation service Wotif.com, is the founding investor but does not hold shares or board membership.

The Guardian

Shares in Foxtons rose by 13%, and more than £100m of central London property was sold in a 24-hour frenzy, as estate agents worked through the night to deal with the renewed interest from wealthy buyers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, he added, the hunt had been complicated by the fact that in parts of Mali, a whole village shares the same Sim card.

The Guardian

Despite a recovery in the mining sector, leading shares are heading lower again.

The Guardian - Business

With gold stabilising after its recent declines - which were based on worries about countries such as Cyprus selling some of their reserves along with signs of slowdown in China - and base metals such as copper recovering, mining shares regained some lost ground.

The Guardian - Business

"At Herald Sun we are selecting certain articles over next few weeks to monitor effect on subscriptions, social shares, mobile and traffic", the email says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial investments, be specific about the type of "shares" (e.g., common shares, preferred shares) to avoid ambiguity. Also, clarify if you mean owning a part of a company or sharing information.

Common error

Avoid using "shares" interchangeably with general terms like "stocks" or "equities" without understanding their specific nuances. "Shares" represent a unit of ownership, while "stocks" is a more general term for ownership in a company. "Equities" refers to ownership in assets after liabilities are accounted for.

Linguistic Context

The term "shares" functions primarily as a noun, denoting units of ownership in a company. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in financial contexts and in discussions about distributing or dividing something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "shares" is grammatically correct and very common, used primarily as a noun to denote units of ownership or the act of distributing something. According to Ludwig, it's versatile, appearing frequently in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When writing about "shares", be precise about the type and context to avoid confusion. Remember that while the term is widely applicable, nuances exist with related terms like "stocks" and "equities". Alternatives like "portions" or "segments" can be used when discussing division rather than ownership.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stock holdings

Refers specifically to the stocks one possesses in a company.

equity stakes

Implies a significant ownership position in a company.

stakes

Emphasizes the financial risk or involvement in a venture.

holdings

Describes the assets one possesses.

portions

Highlights the division of something into parts.

investments

Highlights the act of putting money into something for profit.

allotments

Suggests a formal distribution or assignment.

allocations

Indicates a designated amount or share.

interests

Focuses on the benefits or advantages derived from something.

entitlements

Refers to the rights one has to something.

FAQs

How do I use "shares" in a sentence about company ownership?

You can say, "The company issued new "shares" to raise capital" or "He owns a significant number of "shares" in the company".

What's the difference between "shares" and "stocks"?

"Shares" are individual units of ownership in a company, while "stocks" is a general term referring to ownership in a company. You buy "shares", and collectively, these represent your "stock holdings".

What are some synonyms for "shares" when discussing dividing something?

When discussing division, you can use alternatives like "portions", "segments", or "divisions" instead of "shares".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "shares"?

The term "shares" is appropriate in financial contexts when referring to ownership in a company. It's also suitable in general contexts when discussing the division of something. Be mindful to choose the appropriate alternative based on the specific meaning.