sneeze

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sneeze" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the act of expelling air from the nose and mouth, often due to irritation in the nasal passages. Example: "When I walked into the dusty room, I couldn't help but sneeze."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After five years of almost negligible growth in revenue, for three years from 2016-17 is is expected to grow on average by 8.1% each year – not quite peak mining boom levels, but certainly nothing to sneeze at.

The Guardian - Business

It was quite convenient then if someone happened to sneeze when you were trying to prove a point.

The Guardian

Why does William Hague's voice sound like he is holding in a sneeze and straining at the same time?

The Guardian - Opinion

But mostly it's because the ideas and dialogue in the show this year machine-gun so wild and fast, you could sneeze and miss three jokes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So… 1 What shade of tan do you like your tea? 2 Do you look back into your tissue after you sneeze? 3 How would you describe your relationship with HungryHouse.com?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She sneezed on the truth!" Sneezing was proof that the words said at the moment of the sneeze were true.

The Guardian

Elsewhere, it was believed that the soul escapes through the mouth during a sneeze and so a blessing from God was needed to compel the soul back into the body.

The Guardian

The female sitting next to him did not sneeze or itch, as some humans do in my presence.

The Economist

That is nothing to sneeze at, to be sure, but it is no new paradigm either.

The Economist

It keeps transit funding roughly at its current level, which mass-transit advocates say is far too low.A functional compromise bill is nothing to sneeze at, but neither is this one much to cheer about.

The Economist

This is much less than AOL Time Warner's lawyers had expected when they filed suit in January 2002, but nothing to sneeze at for a firm that is struggling to pay down debt of over $25 billion.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sneeze" to clearly and directly describe the act of expelling air involuntarily from the nose and mouth, especially when caused by irritation. For example, "I had to "sneeze" because of the pollen in the air."

Common error

Avoid using "sneeze" to describe similar sounds like a cough or sniffle. A "sneeze" is a specific reflex action, while a cough involves a forceful expulsion of air from the lungs, and a sniffle is a quiet intake of air through the nose.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sneeze" is as a verb, denoting the action of involuntarily expelling air from the nose and mouth. It can also function as a noun, referring to the act of sneezing itself. Ludwig confirms its correct usage as both a verb and a noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "sneeze" functions primarily as a verb and noun, commonly used to describe the action of involuntarily expelling air from the nose and mouth. Ludwig AI indicates its usage is grammatically correct and the tool provide many example that back this up. It maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts, with frequent appearances in news, media, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, ensure you use "sneeze" accurately to describe the reflex action and avoid confusing it with similar sounds. Related terms like "sternutation" offer alternative expressions depending on the desired level of formality. Its frequency is very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sternutation

This term is a formal or scientific synonym for "sneeze", referring to the act of sneezing but less commonly used in everyday language.

have a sternutation

This is another way of expressing the act of sneezing, using a more formal term for sneeze.

expel air through the nose

This phrase describes the physiological action of sneezing, focusing on the expulsion of air but omitting the involuntary nature.

have a fit of sneezing

This phrase describes a series of sneezes, indicating a more intense or prolonged reaction.

suffer a bout of sneezing

This alternative highlights the experience of enduring a period of frequent sneezing, often due to illness or allergies.

discharge air from nostrils

This phrase describes the action of sneeze in a more neutral and medical tone, with no reference to an irritant that can provoke the action.

discharge mucus

This alternative describes a possible consequence of the act of sneezing.

nasal expulsion

This alternative describes the action of sneeze in a more neutral and medical tone, with no reference to an irritant that can provoke the action.

ptarmic reflex

This refers to the involuntary bodily response that causes sneezing, focusing on the physiological process.

have a sneeze attack

This phrase describes a sudden, intense episode of sneezing, often suggesting an allergic reaction or illness.

FAQs

How to use "sneeze" in a sentence?

You can use "sneeze" to describe the action of involuntarily expelling air from the nose and mouth. For example, "I "sneeze" when I'm around cats" or "The dust made me "sneeze".

What can I say instead of "sneeze"?

You can use alternatives like "sternutation" (a more formal term), or describe the action as "expel air through the nose" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sneeze" or "sneezing"?

"Sneeze" can be used as both a noun and a verb. "Sneezing" is the gerund or present participle form of the verb. For example, "I had a "sneeze" (noun)" versus "I am "sneezing" (verb)".

What's the difference between "sneeze" and "cough"?

"Sneeze" involves the forceful expulsion of air primarily through the nose and mouth, often triggered by nasal irritation. In contrast, a "cough" is a forceful expulsion of air from the lungs, usually through the mouth, triggered by throat or chest irritation.