word combination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "word combination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific arrangement of words that create a meaningful phrase or expression. Example: "The phrase 'kick the bucket' is an interesting word combination that means to die."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The last word combination I got was my favorite, so I decided to end on a high note.

The New Yorker

Wolves lost - a word combination I was quickly to get used to - 2-1 to Spurs that night, the first leg of the first ever Uefa Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

The work is also titled "Cellar Door," a word combination that J. R. R. Tolkien once singled out as a particularly beautiful phrase.

The New York Times - Arts

When I solved puzzles with analysis, I tended to sound out each possible word combination, cycling through all the words that went with "pine" and then seeing if they also worked with "crab" or "sauce".

The New Yorker

In a guest blog for Ms Afropolitan Doreen Akiyo Yomoah wrote that "you are a woman" was her least favourite word combination in the English language, proceeding to outline the five most irksome assumptions made on the basis of her gender.

The Guardian

"The German translation is accurate, but the word combination tickles some kind of orthographical, sound-receptive funny bone," explained the Latvian translator Kaija Straumanis, the editorial director for Open Letter Books, the University of Rochester's literature in translation press and one of the conference organizers.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

In production of language, children across the world proceed from prelinguistic babbling to one-word utterances and on to early word combinations, grammatical clause structure, and clause combining.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

The word combinations are easier to remember, solving problems with lengthy longitude and latitude coordinates.

The Guardian

Speaking with quiet intensity in a language not his own, he always uses very, very long, flowing word combinations.

The Guardian - Books

Sure enough, Vice-President Cheney and leading Republicans dutifully went on television to utter sentences containing the recommended word combinations.

The New Yorker

Mr. Cohen typed hundreds of transcript pages with word combinations like "antibodies against gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase" and "physiologic changes of phospholamban".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the specific structure of language, use "word combination" to precisely refer to how words are arranged to create meaning or convey a concept.

Common error

While "word combination" is technically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "phrasing" or "wording" when communicating informally.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "word combination" is that of a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig confirms this through its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "word combination" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, as validated by Ludwig. It serves to describe the arrangement of words, often with the intent to emphasize the specific meaning created by that arrangement. While prevalent in scientific and news contexts, it's suitable for formal to neutral settings. Alternatives like "phrase construction" or "lexical collocation" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis. Remember to consider the context and audience when choosing the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lexical collocation

Focuses on the tendency of certain words to occur together.

term pairing

Emphasizes the pairing of specific terms.

phrase construction

Highlights the building or forming of a phrase.

expression formation

Indicates the process of creating an expression.

verbal association

Stresses the connection or link between words.

linguistic unit

Emphasizes the role of a combination of words as a unit of language.

semantic grouping

Highlights the semantic relationship of combined words.

syntactic structure

Focuses on the arrangement of words based on grammar rules.

discourse element

Implies that words are combined as part of a larger discourse.

formulaic language

Refers to language that follows a fixed or conventional pattern.

FAQs

How can I use "word combination" in a sentence?

You can use "word combination" to describe the arrangement of words that create a specific meaning, such as, "The effectiveness of a slogan often depends on the specific "word combination" used."

What are some alternatives to "word combination"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "phrase construction", "lexical collocation", or simply "phrasing".

Is "word combination" formal or informal language?

"Word combination" is generally considered neutral to formal. For more informal contexts, consider using alternatives like "wording" or "phrasing".

What's the difference between "word combination" and "phrase"?

While both relate to groups of words, a "phrase" is a general term for a group of words that form a unit, while "word combination" specifically emphasizes the way words are arranged or connected to create a particular effect or meaning. A "phrase" may or may not be a unique or noteworthy combination.