transformers

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'transformers' is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used as a noun to refer to a type of electrical device that is used to transfer energy from one circuit to another, often by changing the voltage. Example: The power grid is equipped with numerous transformers to ensure efficient distribution of electricity to homes and businesses. It can also be used as a proper noun to refer to the popular fictional franchise, which includes movies, television shows, and toys featuring sentient robots that can transform into vehicles or other objects. Example: My kids are big fans of the Transformers franchise and can't wait to see the new movie.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Violent games are a media touchpoint, but they're the equivalent of Transformers in the cinema – the noisy minority.

The Guardian - Tech

Marco Zigon of Getra, a Neapolitan manufacturer of electric transformers, says finding engineers in Naples, or ones willing to move there, is becoming ever harder.

The Economist

Dotted among the categories, there are nominations for several films which were widely panned, including  "Transformers: Dark Of The Moon", "Albert Nobbs, Madonnaa's dreadful "W.E ., and "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close", surely one of the worst reviewed films ever to get a Best Picture nomination.

The Economist

The principle is exploited in devices from electric motors to power transformers.

The Economist

Originally used to make transformers for Westinghouse and then ABB, the factory had been used to store ketchup and as a Halloween house since the latter company left town in 1998.

The Economist

With the grid's most critical components the transformers at substations now typically 40 years old, there are serious consequences for the stability and reliability of the grid as a whole.

The Economist

One of his acquisitions, for example, makes slim transformers which tuck inside the shaft of wind turbines, saving space in crowded European countries.Western acquisitions often have a crude motivation: to combine revenues without combining costs.

The Economist

He recently agreed on a collaboration with DreamWorks, the Hollywood studio behind the "Shrek" and "Transformers" films.

The Economist

If, next year or the year after, the world economy improves, and German politicians clarify the country's currently chaotic energy policy, many more turbines will rumble, and customers will order more trains, transformers and scanners.Siemens, which turned 165 on October 12th, is in it for the long haul.

The Economist

The concept of transmitting power across an air gap between one coil of wire and another led to electrical transformers, generators and motors and ushered in the era of electrical engineering.By the 1890s, Nikola Tesla had demonstrated that not just magnetic fields but also electromagnetic waves themselves could transmit power and over far greater distances.

The Economist

And they could do that not just on single homes, but on whole communities and even to routers in substations in an attempt to take transformers offline, if not actually fry them.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about electrical systems, specify the type of "transformers" (e.g., power, voltage, or isolation) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "transformers" without context. Providing specific details about their application (e.g., in power grids, audio equipment) enhances reader understanding.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "transformers" is as a plural noun. It denotes multiple devices used for converting voltage levels in electrical circuits or can refer to the fictional robots from the Transformers franchise, as shown in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

The Guardian - Tech

2%

SEP

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "transformers" functions primarily as a plural noun, referring either to electrical devices used for voltage conversion or to the popular science fiction franchise. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct and commonly used. Its usage spans from technical contexts, such as electrical engineering and power grids, to more general references in news, media, and entertainment. Due to its versatile application, understanding the context is crucial for clarity, as it helps readers to distinguish between technical equipment and the science fiction theme. Remember to specify the type when discussing electrical systems to prevent overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

electrical transformers

Specifies the type of transformers being referred to.

power transformers

Focuses on transformers used in power distribution.

electric power transformers

More detailed term for transformers used in the distribution of electricity.

step-up transformers

Describes the transformers that increase voltage.

step-down transformers

Describes the transformers that decrease voltage.

voltage converters

Highlights the function of changing voltage levels.

switching transformers

Describes the transformers that switch voltage on/off.

electrical converters

More generic term for devices that change electrical characteristics.

inverter devices

Focuses on changing to alternative current.

energy converters

Generic term for devices that change energy.

FAQs

How can I use "transformers" in a sentence about electrical grids?

You might say, "The efficiency of electrical grids relies heavily on the performance of its "transformers" for voltage regulation".

What is a common type of "transformer" used in electronics?

A common type is a "step-down transformer", which reduces voltage levels to safe values for consumer electronics.

How do "transformers" contribute to the functionality of power distribution?

"Transformers" are essential for stepping up voltage at power plants and stepping it down for safe distribution to homes and businesses.

Are there alternatives to using the term "transformers" when describing power conversion?

While "transformers" is precise, you could use the broader term "power converter" in some contexts, though it might lack specificity.