social

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "social" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to society, community, or interactions among individuals. Example: "The social dynamics of the group were fascinating to observe during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Much of Lubitz's social life appears to have taken place in the nearby city of Koblenz.

The Guardian

But he added: "Sometimes parts of the Conservative party move but they move more slowly, or a few paces behind the centre of gravity of social attitudes which have changed and will probably continue to change in ways that it is hard to predict.

The Guardian

Turning to English, she added: "United and determined, we can defend our European economic and social model in the world.

The Guardian

Scores of people have offered accommodation, and supportive messages have been directed at him via social media, including from the actor Samantha Morton and the model Lily Cole.

The Guardian

In recent years, the gap between rich and poor in Kazakhstan has widened, heightening social tensions.

The Guardian

The legislation will include not only the expected snooper's charter, enabling the tracking of everyone's web and social media use, but also moves to strengthen the security services' warranted powers for the bulk interception of the content of communications.

The Guardian

"Your comprehensive win... was demonstrably a true indication of the trust, confidence and support the Australian constituents have in your leadership qualities and, more importantly, the political, social and economic policies of the Liberal party," O'Neill said.

The Guardian

Cameron will also set out plans to restrict foreigners from access to social housing if they have not been resident in the UK for five years, plans widely trailed over the weekend, as well as making it easier for the NHS to claim back the costs of treating people from overseas.

The Guardian

This conference brings together best practice examples, policy leaders and industry experts to discuss the challenges facing social care providers and IT support teams.

The Guardian

The repeated refusal of GPs, social housing officers and social security staff to act as immigration officers also means that if more robust residence tests are to be introduced for other EU nationals then an easy and authoritative way is needed of checking how long they have been in the country and what their immigration status is.

The Guardian

Friends of Pugh expressed their shock on social media.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "social", consider the specific context. "Societal" is more appropriate when discussing broad social structures, while "communal" emphasizes shared resources and community involvement. Understanding these nuances will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "social" when a more specific term like "societal", "communal", or "interpersonal" would provide greater clarity. Overuse of "social" can lead to vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The word "social" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a relationship to society, community, or interactions among individuals. Ludwig confirms its widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "social" functions as an adjective to describe things related to society, community, or interactions. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and widely used. While generally neutral in register, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. For enhanced clarity, consider using more specific alternatives like "societal" or "communal" depending on the context. By being mindful of the specific nuances, you can leverage the word "social" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

societal

Focuses on the structures and systems of a society.

communal

Emphasizes shared ownership and community involvement.

collective

Highlights the group and its shared activities or responsibilities.

public

Relates to the community at large and matters of general concern.

civic

Pertains to the duties and responsibilities of citizens.

cultural

Refers to the shared values, beliefs, and practices of a group.

interpersonal

Deals with relationships and interactions between individuals.

relational

Focuses on the connections and dynamics between people.

community-based

Highlights activities and initiatives that originate within a local area.

group

Emphasizes working or acting together in a company.

FAQs

How to use "social" in a sentence?

The word "social" is used to describe interactions, relationships, or structures within a community or society. For example: "The company promotes "social responsibility" initiatives" or "She enjoys "social gatherings" with friends".

What can I say instead of "social"?

You can use alternatives like "societal", "communal", or "public" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "social issue" or "societal issue"?

Both "social issue" and "societal issue" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Social issue" refers to a problem affecting many people, while "societal issue" emphasizes a problem rooted in the structures and systems of society. "Social issue" is more common.

What's the difference between "social" and "sociable"?

"Social" describes something related to society or its organization, while "sociable" describes someone who enjoys being with other people. For instance, a "social event" involves community interaction, whereas a "sociable person" is friendly and outgoing.