strata

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "strata" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a layered structure, such as social classes or geological layers. For example: "The strata of social classes in our society can be difficult to identify."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The values of a literary work, however, are not exhausted by the separate values of its several strata, for the strata do not exist separately, but rather form an 'organic unity'.

SEP

Without their support he'll cascade downwards through the diminishing strata of celebrity, through bad sitcoms and reality shows and shopping-centre openings, until he hits rock bottom and ends up successfully running for London mayor.

The Guardian

We experimented and played around until we hit on what we thought was a pricing system acceptable to all pockets and all fans [they range from Rs 170 (£1.70) to Rs 2,500 (£25)] – it meets every possible strata.

The Guardian

It's a place of spoil heaps and rock strata, softly greened by spring.

The Guardian

Gazing across the lightless light-years of space, or the silent aeons of geological strata revealed in a cliff face, encourages big thoughts.Take, for instance, the fate of the only inhabited planet currently known to exist: Earth.

The Economist

Within this market, there are three different strata of technologies, known as "stacks".The first stack is called "advanced metering infrastructure", or AMI.

The Economist

But his support in the north-eastern slums of Baghdad, known as Sadr City after his late father, extends to quite a few other strata of society.

The Economist

Scots are assuredly fed up with Westminster's past record of policy shortcomings and continued affirmation of the strata of economic inequality, but I would guess you need more than angry disappointment to define an independent Scotland.Brian Anderson Starkville, Mississippi * SIR – In many European countries voters have registered disgust with the selfishness of the political ruling class.

The Economist

CO2 diffuses from the point of injection to the underground strata and turns into minerals and becomes inert.

The Economist

Both of Andhra Pradesh's main parties seek to mobilise voters from all social strata, yet traditional voting patterns persist: 70% of Reddys (a prosperous land-owning caste) voted for Congress, despite the landslide against; 90% of Kammas, a rival group of similar status, backed the Telegu Desam Party of the chief minister, Chandrababu Naidu, himself a Kamma.

The Economist

That suggests the strata are the result of planet-wide climatic episodes, rather than the product of local conditions.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In geological contexts, "strata" is most effective when discussing distinct layers of rock or soil formed over time. For example, "The sedimentary strata revealed valuable information about the region's past climate."

Common error

Remember that "strata" is the plural form of "stratum". Use "stratum" when referring to a single layer, and "strata" when referring to multiple layers. For instance, "Each stratum of rock tells a story" versus "The exposed strata revealed the region's geological history".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "strata" is as a plural noun. It denotes multiple layers or levels, often in contexts involving social structures, geological formations, or organizational hierarchies. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe layered structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strata" is a plural noun used to describe multiple layers or levels in various contexts, including social, geological, and organizational structures. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically correct and usable in written English, particularly to describe layered structures. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business sources, signifying its versatility across different domains. While often associated with scientific and academic settings, "strata" is frequently employed in journalistic and business contexts to categorize or delineate distinct divisions within a larger system. Remember that "strata" is plural, and the singular form is "stratum". Alternatives include ""layers"", "levels", and "tiers", offering different nuances depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

layers

This alternative directly substitutes "strata" with a more common synonym, emphasizing the physical arrangement.

levels

This term replaces "strata" with a word that denotes different stages or ranks within a hierarchy.

tiers

This substitute conveys a sense of hierarchical arrangement, similar to "strata", but often used in organizational contexts.

echelons

This option replaces "strata" with a term that highlights the ranking or social standing within a group.

beds

Focuses specifically on geological or archaeological contexts, referring to layers of rock or soil.

bands

Suggests distinct groupings or categories, similar to how "strata" delineates social or geological sections.

ranks

This substitute implies a specific order or hierarchy, similar to the concept of social "strata".

cross-sections

Refers to a view or representation that displays the different layers or "strata" of a physical structure.

groupings

Implies distinct segments or clusters, much like the distinct social or economic "strata" in a population.

classifications

Highlights the arrangement into different classes or categories, similar to distinguishing between different "strata".

FAQs

How can I use "strata" in a sentence?

Use "strata" to refer to multiple layers or levels, whether in a social, geological, or organizational context. For example, "The archaeological dig revealed several distinct "layers" of settlement".

What's the difference between "strata" and "stratum"?

"Strata" is the plural form, referring to multiple layers, while "stratum" is singular, referring to a single layer. Think of it like "data" and "datum". So, you would say "This "layer" is significant" (stratum) but "These "layers" are significant" (strata).

What can I say instead of "strata"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""layers"", "levels", "tiers", or "echelons". The best choice depends on whether you're describing a physical arrangement or a hierarchical structure.

Is it correct to use "strata" to describe social classes?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable. "Strata" can effectively describe the different social classes or "groupings" within a society, emphasizing their hierarchical or layered arrangement. For example, "The study examined how policies affected different social strata".