Say it like this
- Let's run an experiment to validate our hypothesis.
- We experimented with a new approach and it worked.
- The experiment showed that users prefer the darker theme.
- Can we experiment on 10% of traffic first?
Use it at work
Proposing
- Let's run an experiment: show half the users the new pricing page.
- Can we test this as an experiment before we commit?
Reporting
- The experiment increased sign-ups by 8%.
- The experiment didn't show a clear result. Let's run it longer.
Planning
- What's our hypothesis for this experiment?
- How many users do we need for the experiment?
Don't say this
When using experiment as a verb, you need the preposition with: experiment with something, not experiment something.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| experiment | Controlled test of an idea | Product, data | Before a full rollout |
| A/B test | Experiment with two versions | Product, growth | UI or pricing changes |
| proof of concept | Quick build to show something works | Engineers | Early technical risk |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. We should _______ with the new caching strategy before deploying it to production.
2. Which sentence uses experiment incorrectly?
3. How would a tech professional say this?
4. The _______ showed that the new feature reduced load times by 30 percent.
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 4
"Let's run an experiment to validate our hypothesis."
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More about experiment
Real examples(4)
- in a standup
"We're running an experiment this week to test the new onboarding flow with half our users."
- in a code review
"Before we merge this, we should experiment with it on a staging environment to measure performance."
- in a team meeting
"The experiment results show that the new algorithm reduced latency by 25 percent."
- in a planning session
"Let's experiment with microservices architecture for the payment system."
More mistakes(3)
Handle with care. Do not use experiment as a verb meaning to test in a casual way without proper process. In tech, experimenting usually means controlled, measured testing with clear metrics and documented outcomes.
- ✕This is a good experiment to do it.✓This is a good experiment to run.
You run an experiment (noun) or experiment with something (verb). Do not say experiment to do it.
- ✕We experimented the database last month.✓We experimented with the database last month.
Same issue: the verb experiment requires with. You can also say we tested the database.
- ✕The experiment failed because we did not have a good idea.✓The experiment failed because we didn't set clear success metrics.
In tech, experiments need measurable criteria. Saying an idea was bad is vague; specify what was not measured or achieved.
Other forms(4)
- experiment noun
"The experiment took two weeks to complete and showed promising results."
- experiment (with) verb
"We experimented with three different algorithms to find the fastest one."
- experimenting noun
"Experimenting with new technologies helps us stay ahead of the curve."
- experimental adjective
"The experimental version of the app is available for beta testers only."
Often used with(7)
- run an experiment · Most common way to use experiment as a noun. You run experiments, not do or make experiments.
- experiment with · Standard verb form meaning to test or try something. Always followed by with.
- A/B experiment · A specific type of experiment comparing two versions to determine which performs better.
- experiment results · The data and findings produced by an experiment. Often discussed in meetings and reports.
- successful experiment · An experiment that validated the hypothesis or achieved the defined success metrics.
- failed experiment · An experiment that did not achieve its goals. Failure is normal and valuable in tech.
- pilot experiment · A small-scale initial test before a larger rollout. Similar to MVP.
Similar words(4)
- test · More general and casual. Test can mean any kind of checking. Experiment implies a structured hypothesis and metrics.
- trial · Slightly more formal. Trial often refers to trying something before committing fully, like a trial period.
- A/B test · A specific type of experiment comparing two versions. Not all experiments are A/B tests.
- validation · The goal or result of an experiment. You validate ideas through experiments.
Opposites(3)
- assumption
- speculation
- guess
Questions(5)
- What does experiment mean in software engineering?
- In software engineering, an experiment is a controlled test designed to validate a hypothesis or measure the impact of a change. It typically involves defining success metrics, running the test with a subset of users or data, and analyzing the results before making a larger decision. Experiments are central to data-driven development and agile practices.
- How do you use experiment as a verb?
- When experiment is used as a verb, it always requires the preposition with. For example: We experimented with a new database architecture. We are experimenting with different UI layouts. You can also use it in the noun form: We ran an experiment to test the hypothesis.
- What is the difference between experiment and test?
- While often used interchangeably, an experiment typically implies a more formal, structured approach with a clear hypothesis and measurable success criteria. A test can be more casual or informal. In tech, experiment is often preferred when discussing controlled, measured trials with documented outcomes.
- Is experiment formal or informal?
- Experiment is neutral to slightly formal, depending on context. It is commonly used in professional tech settings, meetings, and documentation. It is not casual slang, but it is also not overly formal. You would use it in emails, presentations, and technical discussions.
- What are common collocations with experiment?
- Common phrases include: run an experiment, experiment with something, A/B experiment, experiment results, pilot experiment, successful experiment, failed experiment. The most common verb form is experiment with.
