the copies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the copies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to multiple instances of a document, book, or any material that has been reproduced. Example: "Please make sure to distribute the copies of the report to all team members by the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The copies in Miss Susie's building.

The New York Times

The copies are plain outrageous.

The Guardian - Arts

She has since made the copies.

The New York Times

It's why copies were made of the copies and are still being made of the copies.

The New York Times - Science

I tried to find all the copies and destroy them.

The Guardian

The copies of Green Roofs were put on hold.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The copies would not be admissible in court.

The New York Times

When a prescription is photocopied, the copies say "void".

The New York Times - Science

The copies of National Geographic proved particularly popular.

The Guardian

It was a classic self-publishing story where the copies end up in your basement.

The New York Times

In the copies, the ends of the rolls look like eyes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to multiple instances of a document or file, use "the copies" to clearly indicate that you are discussing reproductions, not the original.

Common error

Avoid using "copy's" (possessive) or "copiers" (machines) when you mean multiple reproductions. Using "the copies" will prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the copies" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to multiple instances or reproductions of a particular item or document. As Ludwig AI explains, it is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the copies" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to identify multiple reproductions of an item across diverse contexts, primarily in news and scientific domains. When writing, remember to use "the copies" to clearly denote reproductions, avoid confusion with possessive forms, and consider context-appropriate alternatives like "the duplicates" or "the reproductions".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the duplicates

Replaces "copies" with a synonym, emphasizing the identical nature of the reproductions.

the reproductions

Emphasizes the act of reproducing, rather than the result.

the prints

Suitable when referring to printed versions of documents or images.

the replicas

Applicable when the items are exact models or imitations of something.

the imitations

Highlights that the items are not original, but rather imitations.

the versions

Used when referring to different forms or iterations of something.

the specimens

Appropriate when referring to examples collected for examination.

the issues

Applicable when referring to published editions of magazines or newspapers.

the numbers

Refers to the count or quantity of copies.

the exemplars

Highlights that the items are models or examples to be followed.

FAQs

How can I use "the copies" in a sentence?

You can use "the copies" to refer to multiple instances of something. For example, "Please distribute the copies to all team members".

What's a good alternative to "the copies"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "the duplicates", "the reproductions", or "the prints".

Is it correct to say "the copy's" instead of "the copies"?

No, "the copy's" is a possessive form indicating something belonging to the copy. To refer to multiple instances, use "the copies".

What is the difference between "the copies" and "the originals"?

"The copies" refers to reproductions of a source document. "The originals" refers to the source documents from which the copies were made.