test subjects

USAGE SUMMARY

"test subjects" is a completely valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to individuals or groups of people who are being tested or studied in a scientific or research environment. Example: The scientists conducted their experiment on a group of randomly selected test subjects.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But who should the test subjects be?

MIT Technology Review

After 12 weeks, the test subjects, predictably, became more fit.

The New York Times - Sports

Visual Islands annotation speed gains for all test subjects.

Columbia University

We can also be a source of test subjects.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This time, out of about 50 test subjects, only three could say which photo was which.

The New York Times

Slater and Banakou's forty-three otest tesubjectscts did the same.

The New Yorker

The storm and its Atlantic Ocean predecessor, Hurricane Fabian, are the first test subjects.

The New York Times

NMT is not the only device company searching for test subjects.

The New York Times - Health

Hooked up to the machine, 40percentt of test subjects exhibited extraordinary, and newfound, mental skills.

The New York Times - Magazine

Test subjects included those with depression, autism and cancer as well as prisoners.

The Guardian

The relationship between testers and test subjects has become, more nakedly than ever, a business transaction.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about experiments, clearly define the characteristics of your "test subjects" (age, gender, health status, etc.) to ensure reproducibility and accurate interpretation of results.

Common error

Avoid using "test subjects" when you actually mean the methods or procedures used to conduct the test. "Test subjects" are the individuals being studied, not the techniques applied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "test subjects" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying the individuals or entities that are the focus of an experiment or study. Ludwig shows examples in various contexts, confirming its role as a descriptor for participants in research.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "test subjects" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to individuals or entities participating in a study or experiment. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. The phrase serves the purpose of identifying and categorizing participants in research, maintaining a neutral to formal register. When discussing "test subjects", ensure clarity in defining their characteristics and avoid confusing them with testing methods. Alternatives like "study participants" or "research subjects" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

study participants

Focuses on participation in a study rather than being subjected to a test.

research subjects

Emphasizes their role in a research project.

experiment participants

Highlights involvement in an experiment.

trial participants

Specifies participation in a trial, often medical.

study group members

Highlights that they are part of a group being studied.

research population

Refers to the entire group from which subjects are drawn.

evaluation group

Implies the subjects are part of an evaluation process.

sample population

Indicates that the subjects represent a larger population.

clinical trial volunteers

Emphasizes voluntary participation in a clinical trial.

participants in the study

A more descriptive and less concise way of referring to test subjects.

FAQs

How do I use "test subjects" in a sentence?

You can use "test subjects" to refer to the individuals or groups participating in a study or experiment. For example, "The researchers recruited 50 "study participants" to serve as "test subjects" in their investigation of the new drug".

What are some alternatives to "test subjects"?

Depending on the context, you could use "study participants", "research subjects", or "experiment participants" as alternatives to "test subjects".

Is it appropriate to use "test subjects" when referring to animals in experiments?

Yes, "test subjects" can refer to both human and non-human animals used in experiments. However, in some contexts, it might be more appropriate to use terms like "animal models" or "experimental animals" for clarity.

What ethical considerations should I keep in mind when working with "test subjects"?

Always ensure informed consent, confidentiality, and minimal risk to "test subjects". Ethical guidelines vary depending on the type of research and the population being studied, so it is essential to consult relevant ethical review boards and guidelines.