Amplify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Amplify" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to increasing the volume, intensity, or significance of something, such as a message or sound. Example: "We need to amplify our marketing efforts to reach a wider audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The glacial pace of this public psychodrama is hardly likely to amplify those limited payoffs.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's important to amplify the voices of those most affected, because what they're experiencing will be experienced by us all in one way or another.

The Guardian

But there is no one left to amplify his ideas.

The Guardian - Opinion

Delegating day-to-day investment decisions to large asset managers, as pension funds and many individual savers do, "introduces fundamental incentive problems between end investors and fund managers, which can induce destabilising behaviour and amplify shocks," the Washington-based organisation says.

The Guardian - Business

I'd like to amplify the six key things Mlambo-Ngcuka says that African women want for the future so I'm directly posting them below.

The Guardian

That is not to say that the uncertain economic future does not amplify the pressure on young people.

The Guardian

"We want to leverage social media and in particular the hashtag #MissingMigrants to amplify the voices of those who have lost loved ones and warn future migrants against taking these risky journeys.

The Guardian

It may yet amplify its effect across a Europe uncommonly volatile and vulnerable to a Grillo-style insurrection.

The Guardian

They decided to make an additional gift to the university and asked, "Is there a way to amplify the power of the gift through social media?" And so, the Bucky Challenge, was created.

The Guardian

Here is what some of the others are doing: In files leaked by Edward Snowden last year, GCHQ was shown to have developed tools to influence online debates, change the outcome of polls, "amplify" sanctioned messages on YouTube and send spoof emails from registered accounts.

The Guardian

If those viruses don't take root, then the infection can't get going and amplify".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "amplify" when you want to convey the idea of making something louder, more intense, or more significant. Be mindful of the context to ensure it accurately reflects your intended meaning.

Common error

While "amplify" is versatile, avoid overusing it in formal academic or scientific writing where more precise vocabulary might be expected. Consider alternatives like "augment", "enhance", or "intensify" to maintain appropriate tone and precision.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "amplify" is as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It describes the action of making something louder, stronger, or more intense. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage aligns with common grammatical standards.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "amplify" is a versatile transitive verb used to describe the act of increasing the intensity, volume, or significance of something. As Ludwig AI reports, it follows standard grammatical rules and is widely accepted. Its usage is particularly common in news and business contexts, with a neutral to slightly formal tone. When using "amplify", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately reflects your intended meaning, and be aware of potential overuse in highly formal settings. While similar to terms like "intensify" and "magnify", each carries its own distinct nuance. The plethora of examples found by Ludwig underscore its frequent and varied application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Intensify

Focuses on increasing the degree or strength of something.

Augment

Implies adding something to increase size or value.

Strengthen

Suggests making something more robust or resilient.

Enhance

Focuses on improving the quality or desirability of something.

Magnify

Emphasizes making something appear larger or more important.

Escalate

Indicates a rapid increase or intensification, often in a negative context.

Boost

Suggests a sudden increase or improvement.

Exaggerate

Implies representing something as greater than it actually is, often with negative connotations.

Expand upon

Focuses on providing more detail or explanation.

Elaborate

Involves adding more details to give a fuller picture

FAQs

How can I use "amplify" in a sentence?

You can use "amplify" to describe increasing the volume of sound, as in "The microphone amplified her voice". It can also mean to increase the effect or intensity of something, for example, "Social media can amplify the impact of a message".

What's a good alternative to "amplify" when discussing sound?

When referring to sound, you can use alternatives such as "louden" or "increase the volume of". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "amplify" in a business context?

Yes, "amplify" is perfectly acceptable in a business context. For instance, you might say, "We need to amplify our marketing efforts to reach a broader audience", or "The new strategy will amplify our profits".

What's the difference between "amplify" and "exaggerate"?

"Amplify" generally means to increase or make something stronger or more significant. "Exaggerate", on the other hand, means to represent something as being larger, better, or worse than it really is, often with the intent to impress or deceive.