a-sample
B1Neutral (common in both formal and informal contexts)
Definition
Meaning
a small part or quantity intended to show what the whole is like; a specimen
to try out or experience something briefly; to take or test a small portion
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to a representative piece or trial of something larger; often implies evaluation, testing, or demonstration.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Generally identical in core meaning. In specific contexts like statistics, 'sample' is slightly more formal in British academic writing, while American usage may be more frequent in marketing/consumer contexts.
Connotations
British: slightly stronger association with scientific/quality control contexts. American: stronger commercial/marketing associations (e.g., free samples).
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to commercial usage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
sample something (verb)a sample of something (noun)take a sampleprovide a sampleVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sample the wares”
- “a taste/sample of things to come”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
We'll send you a sample of the new fabric before you place the bulk order.
Academic
The study used a stratified random sample of 500 participants.
Everyday
Could I try a sample of that ice cream flavour?
Technical
The mass spectrometer analysed the soil sample for contaminants.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Visitors can sample local cheeses at the market stall.
- The agency sampled the water quality at twelve locations.
American English
- You can sample several flavors before deciding.
- They sampled opinions from across the political spectrum.
adjective
British English
- She received a sample chapter of the textbook.
- The sample data revealed an interesting trend.
American English
- Check out the sample lesson on the website.
- The report includes sample questions from the test.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The doctor took a blood sample.
- I got a free sample of shampoo.
- We were given a sample of the food to try.
- The survey was based on a sample of 1000 adults.
- The results from the core sample confirmed the geological theory.
- Investors were shown a sample of the company's new products.
- The researcher employed a purposive sampling technique to select a representative sample.
- Statistical inference allows us to generalise from the sample to the population.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SAMPLE = Small Amount Meant to Provide Learning/Example
Conceptual Metaphor
A WINDOW (a sample gives a limited view into a larger reality)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'образец' which is broader; 'sample' is specifically a piece for testing/showing. 'Проба' is closer for material samples.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'sample' as a verb for people (e.g., 'We sampled 50 people' is correct, but 'We sampled him' is odd). Confusing 'sample' with 'example' in academic writing.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'sample' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is far more common as a noun. The verb use is frequent in specific contexts like research, quality control, and marketing.
A 'sample' is a physical part or subset taken from a whole to represent it (for testing, showing, etc.). An 'example' is a typical instance used to illustrate a point or rule, and it doesn't need to be a physical piece.
Yes, in music production, a 'sample' is a short excerpt of sound recycled into a new recording. This is a specialised, modern meaning.
As a noun: 'a sample of [something]'. As a verb: 'sample [something]' or 'sample from [a source]'.