statistic
B2Formal/Neutral, Academic, Technical
Definition
Meaning
A single numerical fact or piece of data, especially one calculated from a larger set of data.
A value or measure (e.g., mean, percentage) that summarizes or describes a sample of data; also used to refer to the discipline of statistics (plural form).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The singular form 'a statistic' refers to one piece of data. The plural form 'statistics' can refer to multiple pieces of data or to the academic field. The word often implies a calculated, representative, or summarizing figure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling of related terms follows regional norms (e.g., analyse/analyze).
Connotations
Neutral in both, though can imply objectivity or, in some public discourse, potential manipulation.
Frequency
Equally common in academic, media, and professional contexts in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The statistic shows (that)...According to a/the statistic,...a statistic on/about somethinga statistic from (a source)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Lies, damned lies, and statistics”
- “A statistic (used pejoratively, e.g., 'he became just another traffic accident statistic')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in reports and presentations to support arguments: 'The quarterly sales statistic exceeded projections.'
Academic
Central to research papers in social and natural sciences: 'The t-test statistic was significant at p < .05.'
Everyday
Common in news and discussions: 'I saw a statistic that said most people don't get enough sleep.'
Technical
Precise mathematical sense in statistics: 'The test statistic follows a chi-square distribution.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The data was statistically analysed.
American English
- The data was statistically analyzed.
adverb
British English
- The results are statistically significant.
American English
- The results are statistically significant.
adjective
British English
- The report contained a statistical error.
American English
- The report contained a statistical error.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This statistic is about children in schools.
- One statistic shows that cats are popular pets.
- The most surprising statistic was the increase in smartphone use.
- Can you find a statistic to support your argument?
- According to the latest crime statistic, rates have fallen by 5%.
- She cited a compelling statistic about climate change from the UN report.
- The statistic, though accurate, fails to capture the underlying socioeconomic complexities.
- Interpreting this labour market statistic requires an understanding of seasonal adjustments.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A STATISTIC is a STATIc piece of numerical INFORMATION you can point to.
Conceptual Metaphor
NUMBERS ARE FACTS; DATA IS EVIDENCE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'статистика' (statistics as a field); use 'статистический показатель' or 'данная цифра' for a single statistic.
- Avoid using 'статистик' (a statistician) to mean a single piece of data.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'statistic' as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'This is interesting statistic' -> '...an interesting statistic').
- Confusing singular 'statistic' with plural 'statistics' (the field).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'statistic' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Data' is raw, unprocessed information (can be singular or plural). 'A statistic' is a single piece of data, often a calculated summary (like an average) derived from raw data.
It can be both. As a field of study ('Statistics is difficult'), it is singular. When referring to multiple pieces of data ('These statistics are misleading'), it is plural.
No, the adjective is 'statistical'. The related adverb is 'statistically'.
It is an idiom meaning to become an anonymous number or case in an official record, often referring to a negative event like a crime, accident, or disease.