social movements

USAGE SUMMARY

"social movements" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you are discussing groups of people working together to promote social change, such as protests, campaigns, or other grassroots initiatives. For example: "The civil rights movement was one of the most significant social movements of the twentieth century."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I'm impressed by the grassroots social movements.

The Guardian - Opinion

Marxists need "grass-roots and radical social movements," he emphasized.

The New York Times

There's a generational tension trend in social movements.

The Guardian - Opinion

They can only be forced through social movements.

The Guardian

By the standards of social movements, progress has been fast.

The New Yorker

The majority appeared to be women from social movements.

The Guardian

There will be new social movements and causes.

The New York Times

On the left and in social movements, there is dismay.

The Guardian

That is the ongoing rise of protest and social movements.

The Guardian - Opinion

Constitutions are bourgeois obstacles to such popular social movements.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Christianity is an adaptable avatar for these social movements.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "social movements", be specific about their goals and the social issues they address. This provides clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "social movements" as a catch-all term for any form of social activity. Ensure that the groups you are referring to are genuinely organized efforts aimed at social change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "social movements" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig, it correctly refers to organized efforts by groups of people to promote or resist social change, aligning with the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "social movements" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, accurately referring to organized efforts aimed at bringing about or resisting social change. According to Ludwig, it is deemed correct for use in written English. Its prevalence across diverse sources, as shown in Ludwig's examples, underscores its importance in discussions about societal transformation. While versatile, it is best employed with specificity to clarify the movement's aims and impact. Its usage ranges from neutral reporting to formal academic analysis, making it an indispensable term for describing collective action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grassroots movements

Focuses on the bottom-up nature and local level of these movements.

activist groups

Emphasizes the active role and advocacy of these groups.

reform movements

Highlights the intention to change or improve aspects of society.

protest movements

Stresses the element of public demonstration and objection.

political movements

Focuses on the link to politics and policy change.

civil rights campaigns

Specifically refers to movements aimed at securing civil rights.

collective action initiatives

Highlights the coordinated and joint effort involved.

popular uprisings

Emphasizes the widespread and spontaneous nature of certain movements.

advocacy groups

Stresses the role of advocating for specific causes or policies.

change agents

Highlights the role of these groups as drivers of social transformation.

FAQs

How do I use "social movements" in a sentence?

"Social movements" are typically the subject of sentences describing their actions, goals, or impact. For example: "Social movements often challenge existing power structures".

What are some alternatives to "social movements"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "grassroots movements", "activist groups", or "reform movements".

What distinguishes "social movements" from other forms of social activity?

"Social movements" are characterized by their organized and sustained efforts to bring about or resist social change, differentiating them from less structured or temporary social activities.

How can I identify the key characteristics of "social movements"?

Look for organized efforts, shared goals among participants, sustained activity over time, and a focus on bringing about or resisting social or political change.