Meaning & use
experimental sciences
Last updated
Meaning
nounplural
The branches of science that study nature mainly by controlled tests and measurements rather than by pure reasoning.
Grammar: Takes a plural verb: the experimental sciences are taught separately. Use 'an experimental science' for one field.
Patterns
- the experimental sciences
- a degree in the experimental sciences
Physics, chemistry and biology are often grouped together as the experimental sciences.
Students in the experimental sciences spend long hours in the laboratory each week.
Her book compares the methods of the experimental sciences with those of mathematics.
Common combinations
- the experimental sciences
- Funding for the experimental sciences has risen steadily.
- a degree in the experimental sciences
- He earned a degree in the experimental sciences before turning to journalism.
- methods of the experimental sciences
- The methods of the experimental sciences depend on repeatable tests.
- the natural and experimental sciences
- The school offers courses across the natural and experimental sciences.
Synonyms and how they differ
- natural sciences
- Broader and more common; it includes observational fields such as astronomy, which are not always called experimental.
- laboratory sciences
- Focuses on work done in a lab, so it fits chemistry and biology better than field-based geology.
- hard sciences
- Informal; it stresses strict measurement and is often used in contrast with the social sciences.
Word family
- experiment noun
- A test carried out to find out whether an idea is true.
- experimental adjective
- Based on or used for tests and trials.
- experimentally adverb
- In a way that involves testing or trials.
- scientist noun
- A person who works in science.
Commonly confused: experimental sciences or experiential?
experimental sciences vs experiential
'Experiential' means based on personal experience, as in experiential learning. 'Experimental' means based on scientific tests.
Practice
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase is plural, so it takes 'are' and needs no article. Option A uses a singular verb, and options C and D wrongly add an article before a plural noun.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “experimental sciences”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.