Enlist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Enlist" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of enrolling or signing up for something, such as military service or a program. Example: "He decided to enlist in the army after finishing high school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My boyfriend and I have lived on our motor sailor for years, yet had to enlist the help of an able seaman for our one trip out of the marina - and that was to move home.

The Guardian - Travel

Researchers working for human rights organisations during this period were so concerned by indications that the Sri Lankan government might be seeking to enlist Fox's support to ease restrictions on arms imports from the UK to the island nation, they raised their worries with the Foreign Office in London.

The Guardian

Characteristically he had rushed home from Australia to enlist as a private in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and promotion came quickly - as it did in all he put his hand and mind to, except his chosen career of politics.

The Guardian

That's where Chaisson was assigned after leaving a bank job to enlist when he was 17 – with his father's permission, since he was underage.

The Guardian

The government was empowered both to control private factories and set up its own, and women were summoned to enlist on a register for work.

The Guardian

The princes usually enlist in the armed forces and so identify with Britain's aggressive wars.

The Guardian - Opinion

In recent years we have seen a whole range of unpopular policies, from Iraq to the expansion of Heathrow, where the government has refused to engage with the very grassroots they are now so desperate to enlist.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's no way he can know better than them what small detail might expose their identities and re-victimize them; there's no reason not to enlist their help to make sure that this doesn't happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Charrington did eventually get what he wished, as the purpose of his speech had been to continue his campaign for the football season to be suspended following the outbreak of World War I so that players would enlist in the army.

The Guardian - Sport

Its efforts to avoid a vote – which some see as damaging in itself as a vote for suspension – have seen it enlist Israel's ministry of foreign affairs as well as the lobbying of key Fifa officials.

The Guardian

The force has previously accepted that it tried to enlist the four, but has denied, without going into detail, some of the conduct alleged by them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Enlist" to describe recruiting for military service, consider the specific branch or role to provide clarity (e.g., "Enlist in the Air Force").

Common error

Avoid using "Enlist" with incorrect prepositions. While "Enlist in" is common (e.g., "Enlist in the army"), using "Enlist to" or "Enlist for" may be grammatically incorrect depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Enlist" is a verb. It describes the action of enrolling or joining an organization, especially military service, or actively seeking and obtaining support, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "Enlist" is grammatically correct and commonly used to denote joining an organization, especially the military, or actively seeking support. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s versatile across different contexts, primarily appearing in news, business and science-related content. While suitable for neutral and formal tones, avoid preposition errors such as "Enlist to". Consider synonyms like "recruit", "join", or "enroll" for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Join

Focuses on the action of becoming a member of a group or organization.

Enroll

Implies a more structured and official registration process, often for educational or training programs.

Recruit

Emphasizes the active process of seeking and attracting individuals to join an organization or cause.

Secure membership

Focuses on the action of assuring someone's belonging in a group or organization.

Sign up

Suggests a formal process of registering or enrolling for a service or activity.

Induct

Refers to the formal admission or introduction of someone into an organization or group.

Obtain support

Highlights the act of securing backing or assistance from others.

Garner support

Suggests a more active effort to gather and accumulate support from various sources.

Muster support

Conveys the idea of gathering or assembling support, often in a time of need.

Call up

Used to describe the action of ordering someone to report for military service.

FAQs

How can I use "Enlist" in a sentence?

"Enlist" can be used to describe joining the military, as in, "He decided to enlist after graduation." It can also mean gaining support, as in, "They tried to "obtain support" for their cause."

What is a formal way to say "Enlist"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "enroll", "recruit", or "secure membership", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

What's the difference between "Enlist" and "Join"?

While both words refer to becoming part of a group, "Enlist" often implies a more formal or structured process, especially within the military. "Join" is more general and can apply to various types of groups or organizations.

Can "Enlist" be used in contexts other than military service?

Yes, "Enlist" can also be used to describe gaining support or assistance from others, such as "They sought to "enlist the help of others" for their project".