Meaning & use
manuscripts
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“manuscripts” is a form of “manuscript”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountable
A handwritten or typed document, especially a writer's draft of a book or article before it is published.
Grammar: Countable; use 'a manuscript' for one, 'manuscripts' for more than one.
Patterns
- submit a manuscript
- a manuscript of something
- an original manuscript
She sent her manuscript to several publishers before one accepted it.
The author revised the manuscript three times before it was ready for print.
The library holds ancient manuscripts written on parchment.
nouncountableformal
A very old book or document written by hand, especially one of historical or cultural importance.
Grammar: Countable; often used in historical or academic contexts.
Patterns
- an ancient manuscript
- a medieval manuscript
- a manuscript from somewhere
The museum displayed a rare manuscript from the 12th century.
Scholars studied the manuscript to learn about medieval life.
Many manuscripts were destroyed in the fire.
Word forms
| singular | manuscript |
|---|
Common combinations
- submit a manuscript
- He submitted his manuscript to the journal last week.
- revise a manuscript
- The editor asked her to revise the manuscript before resubmission.
- ancient manuscripts
- Ancient manuscripts are often kept in climate-controlled rooms.
- manuscript collection
- The university has an extensive manuscript collection.
Synonyms and how they differ
- draft
- A draft is an early version of a piece of writing, while a manuscript is the complete text that an author submits for publication.
- document
- A document is a general term for any written or printed record, whereas a manuscript specifically refers to a handwritten or unpublished text.
- script
- A script is the written text of a play, film, or broadcast, not usually a book manuscript.
Word family
- manuscript noun
- The singular form.
Commonly confused: manuscripts or transcript?
manuscripts vs transcript
A transcript is a written record of spoken words, such as a court transcript, while a manuscript is a written or typed text, especially a draft of a book.
Practice
Which word best completes the sentence: 'The author sent her ____ to the publisher.'?
Choose one answer.
The sentence refers to one author's single text, so the singular 'manuscript' is correct. 'Manuscripts' would mean more than one, which does not fit 'her' and the singular context. 'Transcript' is a written record of speech, not a book draft.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “manuscripts”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.