Sample vs Some tnt or some composition b

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Sample

Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun

Some tnt or some composition b

Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Sample
 SampleSome tnt or some composition b
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɑːmpl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsæmpl/"]/🇬🇧 //sʌm tɛˈɛnti/ or /sʌm kəmˈpɒzɪʃən biː//🇺🇸 //sʌm tiˈɛnˈti/ or /sʌm kəmˈpɔzɪʃən bi//
MeaningA small part of something used to show what the whole is like.A part of something or creative work.
ExampleHe provided a sample of the product for us to test.Can you give me some tnt for the experiment?
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 3,000 (common)
CEFR levelB1-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationslarge, small, total, draw, select, comprise something, consist of something, size, survey, group, sample from, sample of, blood, faecal/​fecal, serum, collect, obtain, take, contain, show, sample of, free, book, sample ofsome amount of, some bits of, some type of, some quantity of
Antonymswhole, entirety-
Common mistakesConfusing 'sample' with 'exemplar' - they have different meanings., Using 'sampled' incorrectly as a verb form in past tense., Mixing up 'sample' as a noun and a verb.Confused with 'some amount of' which is not as specific., Using 'some' with non-count nouns only., Incorrect pluralization of 'tnt' or 'composition'.
Usage notesUsed in scientific, business, and educational contexts when referring to testing or showing examples. Avoid in casual conversations unless discussing products or experiences.Used to refer to a quantity or part of a type of material or creative work. It is informal and not used in formal writing.

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Sample
Some tnt or some composition b

Frequently asked questions: Sample vs Some tnt or some composition b

What's the difference between Sample and Some tnt or some composition b?

Sample: A small part of something used to show what the whole is like. Some tnt or some composition b: A part of something or creative work.

Which is more common: Sample and Some tnt or some composition b?

Sample is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Sample: He provided a sample of the product for us to test. Some tnt or some composition b: Can you give me some tnt for the experiment?

Can I use Sample and Some tnt or some composition b interchangeably?

Not always. Sample and Some tnt or some composition b are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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