Writing is messy. Most people think they know how to use the word "experiment" because, honestly, we’ve been hearing it since third-grade science fairs with baking soda volcanoes and vinegar. But using experiment in a sentence effectively is actually a bit of a tightrope walk between sounding like a rigid lab report and a creative human being.
You’ve probably seen it a thousand times. "The scientist did an experiment." Boring. "The experiment was successful." Even worse. If you’re looking to level up your prose or just pass a grammar test, you have to understand that this word carries a specific weight depending on whether you're talking about a formal scientific trial or just trying a new recipe for sourdough.
What People Get Wrong About Experiment in a Sentence
Most writers treat the word "experiment" as a static noun. They stick it in a sentence and hope it does the heavy lifting. It doesn't.
In a formal setting, like an academic paper or a clinical trial report, an experiment is a controlled procedure. You’re testing a hypothesis. So, when you use experiment in a sentence in this context, you need precision. You wouldn’t say "They played around with some chemicals." You would say, "The research team designed a double-blind experiment to evaluate the efficacy of the new compound."
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See the difference? One sounds like a weekend hobby; the other sounds like it belongs in the New England Journal of Medicine.
But here’s the kicker: in casual conversation, an experiment is often just a vibe. It’s an attempt. If you tell a friend, "I’m conducting an experiment with my sleep schedule," they know you aren't using a control group and peer-reviewed metrics. You're just trying to wake up at 5:00 AM without crying.
The Grammar of Trying Things Out
Let's look at the mechanics.
The word functions primarily as a noun, but it’s a powerhouse as a verb too. "To experiment" requires a preposition—usually "with" or "on." You experiment with ideas. You experiment on mice (hopefully ethically). If you forget the preposition, the sentence falls apart. "I will experiment the car" makes zero sense.
I’ve noticed that non-native speakers often struggle with the "with" vs. "on" distinction. Use "with" for tools, methods, or concepts. Use "on" for the subject receiving the action. It’s a small detail, but it’s the difference between sounding fluent and sounding like a bot.
Real-World Examples and Nuance
Let’s get into the weeds. Context is everything.
- Scientific context: "The Michelson-Morley experiment in 1887 famously failed to detect the luminiferous aether, inadvertently paving the way for Einstein’s theory of special relativity." (Long, complex, fact-heavy).
- Artistic context: "Picasso didn't just paint; he used every canvas as an experiment in cubism." (Punchy, thematic).
- Daily life: "My kitchen experiment with ghost peppers ended in a call to the local fire department." (Conversational, relatable).
Notice how the sentence structure changes? The scientific example uses passive-ish constructions to sound objective. The artistic one is more assertive. The daily life example is a narrative.
Why "Experiment" is Often a Lazy Word
If you find yourself writing experiment in a sentence over and over, you might be falling into a "word crutch" trap. Sometimes, "trial," "test," "pilot study," or "attempt" works better.
In business, we often hear about "pilot programs." That’s just a fancy corporate way of saying "we’re doing an experiment but we don’t want to look like we’re guessing." If you’re writing for a business audience, use "pilot" or "beta test." It sounds more expensive.
The Evolutionary History of the Word
The word comes from the Old French esperment, which has roots in the Latin experimentum. It literally means "trial" or "test." Back in the 14th century, it was closely linked to "experience."
Think about that.
To have an experience was to have conducted an experiment on life itself. We’ve since separated the two. Now, an experience is something that happens to you, while an experiment is something you initiate. But the DNA of the word still suggests a journey into the unknown.
When you use the word, you’re signaling that the outcome isn’t guaranteed. That’s why it’s such a great word for storytelling. It creates instant tension. If a character "does an experiment," we’re waiting for the explosion or the breakthrough.
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Advanced Tips for Using "Experiment" Without Being Cliche
Stop using "successful" or "failed" immediately after the word. It’s redundant and a bit dry.
Instead of saying "The experiment was a success," try "The experiment yielded groundbreaking data." Or even better: "The experiment proved the hypothesis was entirely wrong."
Failure in an experiment is often more interesting than success. In the world of science, a "null result" is still a result. If you’re writing a story or an essay, lean into the failure. It makes the writing feel more authentic.
- Vary your verbs. Don't just "do" or "make" an experiment. Conduct, perform, initiate, design, orchestrate, or undertake it.
- Watch your adjectives. Is it a flawed experiment? A clandestine experiment? A rigorous experiment?
- The "So What?" Factor. Every time you use the word, ask yourself if the reader knows what's at stake. If there’s no risk, it’s not an experiment; it’s just a task.
A Note on Tone and Audience
If you’re writing for children, keep it simple: "The kids did an experiment with seeds."
If you’re writing a technical manual, be clinical: "Ensure the experiment is conducted within a vacuum-sealed chamber to prevent contamination."
If you’re writing a blog post (like this one!), keep it breezy. Mix the high-brow definitions with low-brow applications. Writing is, after all, an experiment in communication. You’re testing whether these words I’m typing right now actually make it into your brain and stay there.
Actionable Steps for Mastering the Term
Don't just read about it. Do it.
First, go through your recent emails or documents. Search for the word "try" or "test." See if replacing them with a variation of "experiment" adds more weight or clarity.
Second, practice writing three sentences. One should be a short, three-word sentence. "The experiment began." One should be a long, flowing sentence that explains the why and how. "After years of staring at the same stubborn data points, Dr. Aris decided to launch a radical experiment that would either redefine her career or end it entirely." One should be a question. "Was the entire marriage just a social experiment?"
Third, pay attention to prepositions. If you're using "experiment" as a verb, always double-check that "with" or "on" is following it correctly.
Finally, stop worrying about being perfect. The whole point of an experiment is that you don't know the answer yet. Your writing should feel the same way—like a discovery, not a lecture.
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Start by taking a sentence you hate and rewriting it as an experiment. Change the verb. Flip the subject and the object. See what happens. That’s the only way to actually get better at using experiment in a sentence or any other phrase in the English language.
By diversifying your sentence length and being conscious of the context—whether it's a lab, a kitchen, or a boardroom—you turn a basic word into a versatile tool. Writing isn't just about following rules; it's about testing the boundaries of those rules to see what sticks.