tangible copies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tangible copies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to physical, concrete versions of documents, images, or other materials that can be touched or held. Example: "The artist decided to create tangible copies of her digital artwork to sell at the gallery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Manufacturers who use Mr. Street's scanning data to produce tangible copies are able, even with advances in recent years in devices known as rapid prototyping machines, to make only so-so synthetic reproductions of the originals.

The New York Times - Arts

Although I thoroughly enjoy holding tangible copies of music albums, putting the Beatles on iTunes will open up younger generations to the amazing songs that have ruled among music fans from the late 1960s to this day.

The New York Times

It may be that the novel War and Peace is a universal, a thing that is in some mode present in each of the many tangible copies of the novel.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Wouldn't she want a tangible copy, not just a CD but the entire box-set she could passionately dissect every evening after school?

Huffington Post

This paper aims at drawing attention to the actual technologies in use for solid printing (digital fabrication) used for the realization of material copies, therefore tangible, of three-dimensional digital virtual models.

Journal of Cultural Heritage

That would give every citizen in the nation the confidence that there is tangible evidence — a hard copy, if you will — of every vote.

The New York Times

If somebody "steals" your idea for an article or research project, it might be an ethical issue, but it is not a legal issue unless they copy something tangible.

Science Magazine

Anyone who hates hypocrisy and double standards must be gratified to read that the historian Doris Kearns Goodwin has begun to pay a tangible price for the "inadvertent copying" from others' works for use in her own ("Writer Leaves 'NewsHour' in Furor Over Book," news article, Feb. 28).

The New York Times

Or a real, tangible one-man troll, studiously copying and pasting the same tweet to a list of completely arbitrary accounts in the hope that one of them might offer him a porn contract so he could post the whole exchange on Reddit?

Vice

Coffee-cart vendors waved front pages and people scrambled to find copies of their own, tangible proof.

The New York Times

Additionally, the printed 3-D structures can provide unique educational opportunities outside of traditional lecture halls and away from computer workstations environments as they provide a tangible representation of data when a digital copy is unavailable or inconvenient to share.

Education for Chemical Engineers

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to documents, consider using "hard copies" instead of "tangible copies" for more direct clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "tangible copies" when discussing purely digital files or data. Stick to terms like "backup files" or "digital duplicates" in such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tangible copies" primarily functions as a noun phrase where "tangible" modifies "copies". According to Ludwig, it is used to describe physical, concrete versions of something. This contrasts with digital or abstract representations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Science

33.33%

Formal & Business

0.01%

Less common in

Academia

0.01%

Encyclopedias

0.01%

Wiki

0.01%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tangible copies" refers to physical or concrete duplicates, as verified by Ludwig. While grammatically correct and found in reliable sources like The New York Times, it's relatively rare. Ludwig AI indicates it is useful for differentiating physical items from digital or abstract ones, commonly appearing in news and scientific contexts. Alternatives include "hard copies" or "physical duplicates", but avoid using "tangible copies" when discussing digital data. This phrase serves to emphasize physicality, making it a valuable term when clarity is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

physical duplicates

Replaces "tangible" with "physical" to emphasize the material existence of the copies.

hard copies

A common and direct substitute, highlighting the physical format of the copies.

concrete replicas

Emphasizes the solid, real nature of the copies.

material copies

Focuses on the copies being made of matter, existing in a physical form.

real copies

Highlights the authenticity and physical presence of the copies.

printed copies

Specifically refers to copies that have been produced through printing.

palpable duplicates

Uses "palpable" to indicate that the copies can be easily sensed or touched.

touchable copies

A more informal alternative emphasizing the ability to touch the copies.

actual copies

Stresses the genuineness and physical reality of the copies.

incarnate copies

Suggests the copies are embodied or made real in a physical form.

FAQs

What does "tangible copies" mean?

The phrase "tangible copies" refers to physical, touchable versions of something, as opposed to digital or abstract representations. For example, a printed book is a "tangible copy" of the original manuscript.

When is it appropriate to use "tangible copies"?

Use "tangible copies" when you want to emphasize the physical nature of duplicates. This is particularly relevant when contrasting them with digital or intangible forms. For instance, photos can exist as digital files or as "tangible copies" printed on paper.

Are there alternatives to "tangible copies"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "hard copies", "physical duplicates", or "concrete replicas". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "tangible copies" redundant, given that copies are often tangible by default?

While many copies are indeed tangible, the phrase "tangible copies" is useful to explicitly differentiate them from digital or abstract representations. It adds emphasis in contexts where the distinction is important, making it clear you're referring to "physical versions".