Meaning & use
literature
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Meanings
noununcountable
Written works such as novels, poems and plays, especially those admired for their artistic quality.
Grammar: Uncountable: no an or plural; say works of literature.
Patterns
- a work of literature
- study literature
She studies English literature at university.
The prize is given for outstanding contributions to world literature.
He read widely in classic and modern literature.
noununcountableformal
The body of published writing and research about a particular subject.
Grammar: Often preceded by the: the literature on diabetes.
Patterns
- the literature on something
- review the literature
The study begins by reviewing the literature on sleep.
There is little literature on this rare disease.
Researchers searched the medical literature for similar cases.
noununcountableinformal
Printed information, such as leaflets and brochures, handed out to promote or explain something.
Grammar: Uncountable: some literature, not a literature.
Patterns
- literature about something
The travel agent gave us some literature about the cruise.
Campaign literature was delivered to every house.
Pick up the literature at the desk on your way out.
Common combinations
- English literature
- He took a degree in English literature.
- classic literature
- The library has a large collection of classic literature.
- review the literature
- Students must review the literature before starting their project.
- children's literature
- She writes children's literature.
- scientific literature
- The scientific literature supports this finding.
Synonyms and how they differ
- writings
- Writings is a looser plural word for any texts, while literature suggests works valued for their quality.
- publications
- Publications stresses material that has been formally published, often in research, whereas literature can include any written works.
- brochures
- Brochures are specific printed promotional items, while the advertising sense of literature is a general uncountable term.
Word family
Commonly confused: literature or literary?
literature vs literary
Literary is an adjective meaning about literature, while literature is the noun for the writing itself.
Practice
Before writing her thesis, she had to review the ___ on climate and farming.
Choose one answer.
The literature means the published research on a topic. Literary is an adjective and cannot follow the in this way.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “literature”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.