titles

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "titles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the name of a book, movie, song, etc. For example, "She has read all the books in the best-selling titles list."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Matching Celtic's nine-in-a-row record of Scottish league titles salved the wound on one side.

The Guardian - Sport

He can take heart from the fact that research has shown that the move from on-the-day to overnight printing by almost all evening titles has not made that much difference to sales.

The Guardian

Li's retirement from tennis may have robbed Melbourne of a defending champion but it has given Kvitova a boost that could yet see her add to her two Wimbledon titles over the next fortnight.

The Guardian - Sport

I will do everything I can [to be more consistent] but I think it's good to have the big titles and then maybe lose first round, than play in the quarter-finals [all the time].

The Guardian - Sport

While he could have met a seeded player in the first round, Klizan, who has three ATP Tour titles, presents a major challenge.

The Guardian - Sport

The company is in negotiations on a number of rights sales on reference titles but they may not be concluded before the year end.

The Guardian - Business

This victory, secured in the sweltering Scottish heat, means Brownlee has titles at the Commonwealth Games, the Olympics, the Europeans and the world championships – a full house of successes that surpasses all expectations he ever had when starting out in the sport.

The Guardian - Sport

Xosar has risen in stature as a figurehead of a somewhat cosmic live hardware scene, self-releasing records with titles such as Psychick Justice, while simultaneously checking in with a plethora of tastemaker labels.

The Guardian - Music

But imagine if Premier League games were broadcast by Sky and the only pitchside analysis was provided by Sky's sister titles?

The Guardian

Agreeing to trying to work together again (in a court full of scheming flunkeys with high-sounding titles) is one thing.

The Guardian

Media ownership laws allow foreign ownership of non-news titles, but impose a 26% ceiling on news publications.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When listing several "titles" in a series, ensure consistency in formatting (e.g., all italicized or all in quotation marks).

Common error

Avoid capitalizing all words in "titles" unless it's part of a specific style guide requirement. Use sentence case (capitalize only the first word and proper nouns) for improved readability.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "titles" is as a plural noun. It typically functions as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is correct and widespread.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "titles" functions primarily as a plural noun used to identify and categorize creative works, positions, or designations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it maintains a neutral tone, it's important to follow style guide conventions for proper formatting (italics vs. quotation marks) and capitalization. Related terms include "designations" and "appellations", offering alternative ways to convey similar meanings with varying degrees of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

designations of honor

A more descriptive phrase that emphasizes the honorific aspect of certain "titles".

designations

Focuses on the act of assigning names or labels, differing from "titles" which often implies established or recognized names.

formal addresses

Refers to the specific way individuals are addressed in formal settings, a subset of the general term "titles".

headings

Refers specifically to the names given to sections or divisions within a document or text, a subset of the broader meaning of "titles".

names

A more general term referring to any identifier, while "titles" often carry a sense of formality or importance.

appellations

A formal and somewhat archaic term for names or titles, suggesting a level of distinction or honor.

credentials

Emphasizes qualifications or achievements, whereas "titles" can simply be descriptive without implying merit.

awards

Highlights honors or prizes received, diverging from the broader scope of "titles".

championships

Specifically denotes victories in competitions, a more narrow concept than general "titles".

entitlements

Focuses on rights or privileges, which is a different connotation from the naming or labeling aspect of "titles".

FAQs

How do I properly format "titles" of books and movies in my writing?

Book and movie "titles" are generally italicized or placed in quotation marks. For example, you can write "'To Kill a Mockingbird' is a famous novel" or To Kill a Mockingbird is a famous novel.

What are some alternatives to using the word "titles" in academic writing?

In academic contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "designations" or "appellations" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "titles" when referring to both names of works and professional designations?

Yes, "titles" can refer both to the names of creative works (books, movies, songs) and to professional or honorific designations (e.g., 'Dr.', 'Professor', 'Champion'). The context usually makes the meaning clear.

How do I decide whether to italicize or put quotation marks around "titles"?

Generally, longer works (like books and movies) are italicized, while shorter works (like articles and songs) are enclosed in quotation marks. However, style guides like MLA and Chicago have specific rules, so it's best to consult them.