Academic / B1

LITR-uh-ch-uh/ˈlɪtrətʃə/

Literature is novels, plays, and poems, and also the published research on a subject (the literature on X). Usually uncountable. Literary is the adjective. Reading is everyday; a book is one work. Labs: check the literature before you repeat the experiment.

Meaning

Written works such as novels and plays; also published research on a subject (uncountable).

Examples

• “Check the literature before you repeat the experiment.”
• “A-level literature is not the same as a literacy class, which mixes up the words.”

Good to know

Uncountable. Research: the literature on. Adjective: literary. Mix-up: literacy. English / science reviews. Not “literatures” except for national traditions.

Topics

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