- Do you ever find yourself hesitating when using the word “sample” because you’re not sure which words fit with it?
- Are you puzzled about whether to “take a sample,” “make a sample,” or “give a sample” in different contexts?
- Do you want to sound more authentic and confident when discussing products, data, or scientific tests?
Understanding collocations—words that naturally pair together—is an essential step towards speaking English with greater fluency and naturalness. For English learners, mastering collocations with a versatile word like “sample” helps reduce common mistakes and ensures your communication is both clear and precise. Let’s explore how “sample” truly functions in modern English to help you sound more like a native speaker!
Common Collocations with Sample as a Verb
When “sample” is used as a verb, it generally means to try a small amount of something or to select a portion for analysis.
To Try or Experience (Often for Pleasure or Evaluation)
This usage is common in contexts like food, drink, music, or products, implying a temporary or partial engagement.
- Sample the local cuisine: To try a selection of dishes characteristic of a particular region.
“When visiting Rome, we made sure to sample the local cuisine, trying pasta, pizza, and gelato.”
- Sample a dish/meal: To taste a small portion of a specific food item.
“The chef invited us to sample a new dish he was developing for the spring menu.”
- Sample a drink/wine: To taste a small amount of a beverage.
“Before buying a whole bottle, I always like to sample the wine to ensure I enjoy it.”
- Sample a product/service: To try a small portion or use a limited version of a product or service before buying or fully using it.
“Many software companies allow you to sample the product through a free trial period.”
- Sample music/tracks: To listen to a short excerpt of a song or album, often online, before purchasing.
“You can sample music from new artists on most streaming platforms to find your next favorite song.”
To Select for Analysis or Study (More Formal/Scientific)
In academic, research, or statistical contexts, “sample” as a verb refers to the act of taking a representative portion for detailed examination.
- Sample a population: To select a subset of individuals from a larger group for research or survey purposes.
“Researchers must carefully sample a population to ensure the study’s findings are statistically valid.”
- Sample data: To select a subset of data points from a larger dataset for analysis, often due to the volume of information.
“The data analyst had to sample the data because working with the entire dataset would have been too time-consuming.”
- Sample opinions/views: To gather responses or feedback from a selection of people.
“The organization decided to sample opinions from commuters regarding the proposed public transport changes.”
Essential Collocations using Sample as a Noun
When “sample” is used as a noun, it refers to a small part of something intended to show what the whole is like, or a small quantity used for testing or analysis.
Types of Samples (Describing What the Sample Is Of)
These collocations specify the material or item that the sample represents.
- Blood sample: A small amount of blood taken for medical testing or analysis.
“The doctor requested a blood sample to check for any signs of infection or vitamin deficiencies.”
- Tissue sample: A small piece of tissue taken from a body for microscopic examination.
“A biopsy was performed to obtain a tissue sample for cancer screening.”
- Hair sample: Strands of hair collected for forensic analysis, drug testing, or DNA identification.
“Detectives collected a hair sample from the suspect’s clothing at the crime scene.”
- Product sample: A small example of a product, often given for free to potential customers for trial.
“The cosmetics store was giving out product samples of their new anti-aging cream.”
- Food sample: A small portion of food offered for tasting, often at a market or grocery store.
“We tried a delicious food sample of artisan cheese at the farmer’s market.”
- Writing sample: An example of a person’s written work, often required for job applications or academic programs.
“All applicants for the editorial position must submit a writing sample demonstrating their prose style.”
- Music sample: A short piece of recorded music used in another song or production, typically from an existing track.
“The popular hip-hop song featured a clever music sample from a 1970s funk track.”
Actions with Samples (Verbs that Go with ‘Sample’)
These collocations describe common actions performed in relation to a sample.
- Take a sample: To collect a small amount of something for testing, analysis, or as an example. (Very common for medical/scientific contexts)
“The nurse needed to take a sample of my urine for the laboratory tests.”
- Collect a sample: Similar to “take a sample,” often implying a more active, systematic gathering process, possibly over time or from various locations.
“Environmental scientists regularly collect water samples from the river to monitor pollution levels.”
- Provide a sample: To give or supply a sample to someone else, especially when requested.
“Job seekers are often asked to provide a sample of their previous work.”
- Analyze a sample: To examine a sample in detail to discover its nature, composition, or properties.
“The laboratory will analyze the sample to determine the presence of any contaminants.”
- Test a sample: To perform a procedure on a sample to determine its characteristics, quality, or reaction.
“Engineers need to test the sample of the new alloy for strength and durability.”
Characteristics of Samples (Adjectives that Describe ‘Sample’)
These collocations describe the qualities, methods, or size of samples, often used in research, statistics, or marketing.
- Random sample: A sample chosen in such a way that every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected, minimizing bias.
“For the survey to be accurate, they needed to ensure a truly random sample of respondents.”
- Representative sample: A sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the larger population from which it was drawn, mirroring its demographics or traits.
“It’s crucial to obtain a representative sample to ensure the research findings can be generalized.”
- Small sample: A sample that consists of a limited number of individuals or items, which might lead to less reliable or less generalizable results.
“The pilot study’s conclusions were tentative due to the small sample size.”
- Large sample: A sample that consists of a significant number of individuals or items, typically leading to more statistically reliable and robust results.
“With a large sample, the public opinion poll provides a much clearer picture of voter sentiment.”
- Free sample: A complimentary portion of a product given away to encourage trial and potential purchase.
“At the exhibition, visitors eagerly lined up to get a free sample of the new energy drink.”
To help consolidate your learning, here’s a quick reference guide to some of the most essential collocations with “sample”:
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Sample the local cuisine | Verb Phrase | Try characteristic regional dishes |
| Sample a product | Verb Phrase | Try out an item before purchase |
| Sample data | Verb Phrase | Select a subset for analysis |
| Blood sample | Noun Phrase | Small amount of blood for testing |
| Take a sample | Verb + Noun | Collect for analysis/testing |
| Provide a sample | Verb + Noun | Give an example of something |
| Random sample | Adjective + Noun | Arbitrarily chosen subset |
| Representative sample | Adjective + Noun | Subset reflecting larger group |
| Free sample | Adjective + Noun | Complimentary product portion |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
English learners often make direct translations from their native language, which can result in phrases that, while understandable, don’t sound quite right to a native speaker. Let’s look at some common errors with “sample” and how to use it more naturally.
| Do Not Say (Unnatural) | Say This (Natural) |
|---|---|
| Do you want to taste the sample? | Do you want to sample the food? / Do you want to try the sample? |
| Make a blood sample. | Take a blood sample. / Provide a blood sample. |
| Give a sample of your work. | Provide a sample of your work. |
| I will test the new product’s sample. | I will sample the new product. / I will test a sample of the new product. |
| We need to pick samples of opinions. | We need to sample opinions. / We need to collect a sample of opinions. |
| A sample for free. | A free sample. |
“During our quarterly review, Sarah, the lead product manager, presented her findings: ‘We managed to sample a diverse population for the beta test of our new software. Feedback indicates that users were very enthusiastic to sample the product‘s new features, especially the AI assistant. We also asked our content creators to provide a writing sample demonstrating its capabilities. Our next step is to take a blood sample from volunteers for the upcoming health study, ensuring we secure a truly representative sample from various demographics. And yes, don’t forget we’ll be giving away a free sample of our upcoming snack bar at the conference next month!'”
Frequently Asked Questions about Sample Collocations
What is the primary difference between using “sample” as a verb and as a noun?
As a verb, “sample” describes the action of trying a small amount of something (e.g., “I will sample the wine”) or selecting a portion for analysis (e.g., “Researchers sample the data”). As a noun, “sample” refers to the small amount or portion itself (e.g., “This is a free sample,” or “The doctor took a blood sample”). Understanding its part of speech is key to using it correctly.
Is “sample” always about a small amount or part of something larger?
Yes, inherently, “sample” implies a portion or a small amount of a larger whole, intended to be representative, to give an idea of the whole, or to be tested. Whether it’s a “sample” of food, music, or a population, the core idea is that it’s a part used to understand or represent the entirety, not the entire quantity itself.
What prepositions commonly follow “sample” when it’s a noun?
As a noun, “sample” is very frequently followed by “of” to indicate what the sample is from or consists of. For instance, “a sample of blood,” “a sample of their work,” “a sample of the population,” “a sample of fabric.” Other prepositions are less common directly after “sample” itself but might appear in longer phrases, e.g., “results from the sample,” “information on the sample.”
How is “sample” different from “example”?
While sometimes used interchangeably, their core meanings differ. A “sample” is typically a physical portion or a representative subset taken from a larger group (e.g., a “blood sample,” a “fabric sample”). An “example,” on the other hand, is primarily an instance that illustrates a general rule, principle, or category (e.g., “an example of good grammar,” “an example of kindness”). You might provide a “writing sample” which also serves as an “example” of your writing, but “example” has a broader, more abstract use.
Can I say “a sample” when I want to indicate trying something?
When you want to express the *action* of trying something, the verb form “to sample” is generally preferred (e.g., “I want to sample the cake”). If you’re referring to the item itself, you’d say “I want a sample of the cake” or “I want to try the sample.” Using “a sample” on its own to mean “to try” is less common and might sound slightly awkward.
Is there a specific way to ask for a product sample politely?
Yes, polite phrases are crucial! You could say: “Could I have a free sample of this product, please?” or “Would it be possible to try a sample?” or “Do you have any product samples available?” These phrases are clear, polite, and commonly understood.
Brilliant piece! I'm always looking for ways to refine my vocabulary. This clearly lays out how 'sample' works. What about 'pull a sample' in manufacturing or quality control?
This article is really helpful for distinguishing 'sample' from other similar verbs. For food, what's the difference between 'sample the food' and 'taste the food'? Is 'sample' more formal or implying more variety?
Thank you for this! I always forget whether to say 'perform a sample' or 'conduct a sample' when describing lab work. This article is very helpful.
What about 'sample sale'? Is that a collocation, too? I see it often in clothing stores. It seems different from the other uses discussed.
Very useful! I sometimes wonder if 'sample' can be used without an article when it's a noun. For example, 'We took sample from the well' versus 'We took a sample from the well.' Is the article always necessary here?
Is 'sample size' also considered a collocation? It's very common in statistics, but 'sample' there is a noun. Does this article primarily focus on 'sample' as a verb?
I loved the distinction between 'try a small amount' and 'select a portion.' That's where my confusion usually lies. It's subtle but makes a huge difference in sounding authentic. Très bien!
I often hear 'get a sample.' Is 'get' as natural as 'take' or 'receive' when talking about samples, especially in a medical context like 'get a blood sample'?
As a teacher, this article is a goldmine! I often find students translating directly from Spanish, leading to awkward phrases. This clear breakdown of 'sample' collocations will be a fantastic resource for my class next week. Thank you, Translateen!
This is great! I work in data analysis and we often talk about 'sample data' or 'random sample.' Does the verb 'sample' also apply here, like 'to sample the dataset'?