Combine

USAGE SUMMARY

'combine' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe the merger of two or more things. For example, "The two companies decided to combine their resources in order to maximize profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Combine this with people who have a passion for the vision of the organisation that comes from their heart and you set yourself up to have a really high-performing senior team.

The Guardian

Combine that with the fact that advertising revenue simply isn't reliable enough to guarantee creators will break even on their series, never mind make a profit, and the format seems increasingly unattractive.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Now you have the dilemma of how to combine three factors: the state, developers and society.

The Guardian

Basically, it is the accrued value of all pensions that are not state basic retirement or state earning related The ONS then combine the above four categories to calculate household wealth.

The Guardian

Maybe one day we will have open-world games that can combine intelligent non-player characters with their own dark plans and ambitions, with a procedurally generated story-system.

The Guardian - Tech

We need to combine the hard commercial skills which are well-honed by the "usual suspects" with creativity, social responsibility and sheer bloody enthusiasm.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 2.35pm AEST05:35 Only Bob Katter can combine the Galilee Basin, the abominable snowman and santa claus.

The Guardian

David Cameron had to combine two central themes: first, the urgency and inevitability of the cuts, which involve making clear the responsibility of the Labour party in the buildup to the crisis; and second, the improvements and opportunities that flow from resolute early decisive action.

The Guardian - Opinion

The unique thing about Philip was, he could combine the two.

The Guardian - Film

Yes, step forward Lord Nash, who manages somehow to combine his governorship roles with running the Future academies chain and being, erm, the minister responsible for academies across England.

The Guardian

Panmure Gordon analyst Barrie Cornes said: "The combination of a growing middle class in Asia, retiring baby boomers in the US and a need for retirement solutions in the UK combine to create a great opportunity to grow in its chosen markets".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "combine", be specific about what elements are being brought together and the intended outcome of their combination.

Common error

Avoid using "combine" in contexts where a more specific verb, like "merge" or "blend", would better convey the nature of the joining.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "combine" is as a transitive verb, indicating the act of bringing two or more things together. It can also function as an intransitive verb, meaning to come together. Ludwig's examples showcase both usages, emphasizing its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

25%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "combine" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of bringing two or more things together. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts. Our analysis, supported by numerous examples from authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, reveals that "combine" is frequently used in news, lifestyle, and travel writing. While the word is common and generally safe to use, writers should consider more specific alternatives such as "merge", "unite", or "integrate" when a more precise meaning is needed. Remember to be specific about the elements being joined to ensure clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Merge

A more formal term suggesting a complete integration, often used in business contexts.

Unite

Emphasizes a sense of togetherness and shared purpose in the joining.

Integrate

Highlights the process of making separate things work together as a whole.

Blend

Suggests a smooth mixture, often used in culinary or artistic contexts.

Fuse

Implies a strong and often irreversible joining, like melting metals together.

Incorporate

Focuses on including something as part of a larger entity.

Mix

A general term for putting things together, often without a strong emphasis on unity.

Amalgamate

A more formal and less common synonym for combining or merging.

Compound

Suggests combining elements to form something more complex.

Consolidate

Focuses on strengthening something by bringing elements together.

FAQs

How can I use "combine" in a sentence?

You can use "combine" to describe the act of bringing two or more things together, for example, "We need to "combine resources" to achieve our goals".

What are some alternatives to using "combine"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "merge", "unite", or "integrate".

Is it better to say "combine with" or "combine and"?

While both can be grammatically correct, "combine with" is often preferred when you want to emphasize one element being added to another. "Combine and" might be used when both elements are equally important in the "combination".

What is the difference between "combine" and "mix"?

"Combine" generally implies a more thorough integration, while "mix" can suggest a less complete blending. For instance, you might "mix" ingredients for a salad, but "combine" efforts for a project.