stocks

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'stocks' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a store of goods, especially items of food or other commodities, or the total of a company's assets or resources. For example, "The store had a large stock of books and magazines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has become the surprise choice for this year's Nobel peace prize, a decision the Oslo committee said recognised both its current, hazardous mission to destroy Syria's chemical weapons stocks and 16 years of wider global efforts.

The Guardian

I make my living teaching finance, the branch of economics concerned with putting a value on assets such as stocks, bonds, mortgages and options.

The Guardian - Money

The 1984 cabinet papers, released to the National Archives, show that Thatcher asked for contingency plans to be drawn up to use troops to move coal stocks, despite official government policy ruling out the use of service personnel.

The Guardian

Marine scientists maintain the capture process imposes huge physiological stress upon dolphins and increases their chances of dying once they are in captivity – hence the need to constantly replenish stocks from the wild.

The Guardian

Over longer periods, stocks and shares tend to deliver a superior return to cash, despite periodic bouts of volatility, so if you have a long-term goal in mind, it may be worth taking the gamble.

The Guardian - Money

"Anyone who invested in a stocks and shares Isa in March 2003 should be very pleased with their return.

The Guardian - Money

Buying individual stocks is risky but you can spread the risk by buying a fund.

The Guardian - Money

Stocks decreased, prices rose and the purchasing power of people decreased as income-generating activities were affected by the outbreak.

The Guardian

"I have other investments in stocks and shares but the properties I've bought in London and the south have generated far better returns," he said.

The Guardian - Money

Fears that months of debate over how to resolve the Greek debt crisis had brought the world economy to another "Lehman's moment" led several prominent analysts to warn that the situation could spark a run on bank stocks next week.

The Guardian - Business

This is particularly impressive against a backdrop in which small cap growth stocks as a whole have actually lost money".

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing investments, clarify the type of "stocks" you are referring to (e.g. common stocks, preferred stocks) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "stocks" when you should be using "flows". "Stocks" refer to accumulated quantities at a point in time, while "flows" refer to rates of change over time. For example, inventory levels are "stocks", while production rates are "flows".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stocks" is as a noun, typically used in the plural form. As Ludwig AI confirms, it refers either to a store of goods or financial assets representing ownership in a company. Examples include "chemical weapons stocks" or "investing in stocks and shares."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "stocks" is a versatile noun with applications spanning finance and commerce. As Ludwig AI validates, it refers to both a store of goods and shares of ownership in a company. Its frequent use in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts highlights its relevance in current events and financial discussions. When writing about "stocks", consider clarifying the context (e.g., "chemical stocks" versus "investment stocks") to avoid ambiguity. Be mindful of the distinction between "stocks" (quantities at a point in time) and "flows" (rates of change). Overall, understanding the nuances of "stocks" ensures clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

company shares

Replaces the general term with a more specific reference to ownership units in a company.

equity holdings

Emphasizes the ownership aspect of stocks in a financial portfolio.

securities portfolio

Broadens the scope to include other types of investment instruments beyond just stocks.

investment funds

Focuses on the pooled aspect of investing in stocks, usually through mutual funds or ETFs.

marketable securities

Highlights the liquidity and tradability of stocks.

available inventory

Focuses on the physical goods aspect of the word when it is used in business.

reserves

Similar to "stocks", but usually refers to strategically held supplies.

provisions

Highlights the act of stocking up for future needs.

store of goods

Describes a quantity of something accumulated for future use.

supply

Refers to the total amount of a resource available.

FAQs

How do I use "stocks" in a sentence?

You can use "stocks" to refer to shares of ownership in a company, as in "She invested in tech "company shares"". It can also refer to a supply or quantity of something, as in "The store had ample "available inventory".

What can I say instead of "stocks" when referring to investments?

Alternatives include "equity holdings", "securities portfolio", or "investment funds", depending on the specific context.

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

"Stocks" represent ownership in a company and offer potential for higher returns but also carry greater risk. "Bonds" are debt instruments representing a loan made by an investor to a borrower, typically with a fixed interest rate and lower risk.

When should I use "stocks" versus "shares"?

The terms "stocks" and "shares" are often used interchangeably, but "stocks" can refer to a broader category of equity ownership, while "shares" specifically denote individual units of ownership in a company.