I applied to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I applied to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to submitting an application for a job, school, or program. Example: "I applied to several universities last month in hopes of furthering my education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I applied to do an applied chemistry degree instead.

The Guardian - Money

I applied to four colleges.

The New York Times

I applied to graduate school.

The New Yorker

About then I applied to The Times.

The New York Times

I applied to Harvard anyway.

The New York Times

I applied to Georgia Tech.

The New York Times

I applied to study medicine at Heidelberg university".

The Guardian

I applied to study mechanical engineering at both.

The Guardian

When I applied to Harvard, they said, 'Wait a year.

The New Yorker

After three years, I applied to work in a hotel.

The New York Times

I applied to two drama schools and was rejected.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "I applied to", clearly state what you applied for (e.g., "I applied to Harvard University" or "I applied to the job opening").

Common error

Ensure that the context makes it clear whether you are referring to a job, school, program, or something else. Otherwise, the sentence may need restructuring for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I applied to" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of submitting an application to a specific entity, such as a school, job, or program. As shown in the examples from Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to describe past actions related to applications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I applied to" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe submitting an application, as confirmed by Ludwig. The phrase is most often used in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific and formal business settings. While alternatives like "I submitted my application for" or "I registered for" exist, "I applied to" remains a straightforward and widely understood way to convey this action. Ensure clarity by specifying what you applied to when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I submitted my application for

Focuses on the act of submitting an application.

I put in an application for

Emphasizes the effort of applying.

I made an application to

Highlights the creation of the application.

I registered for

Suggests a formal sign-up or enrollment.

I signed up for

Implies a less formal registration process.

I enrolled in

Indicates official entry into a program or course.

I sought admission to

Specifically refers to applying for educational institutions.

I expressed interest in

Indicates a preliminary step before applying.

I tendered my application for

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "I applied".

I lodged an application with

A more formal term, often used in legal or official contexts.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I applied to"?

You can use alternatives like "I submitted my application for", "I put in an application for", or "I registered for" depending on the context.

How do I use "I applied to" in a sentence?

The phrase "I applied to" should be followed by the specific entity to which you submitted an application. For example: "I applied to several universities", or "I applied to the marketing position".

Is it correct to say "I applied at" instead of "I applied to"?

While "I applied at" can sometimes be acceptable (especially when referring to a company in general), "I applied to" is generally preferred and more grammatically correct when referring to a specific role, program or institution. For instance, "I applied to the university" is better than "I applied at the university".

What's the difference between "I applied to" and "I applied for"?

"I applied to" is generally used when followed by the name of an organization or institution, such as "I applied to Harvard". "I applied for" is used when followed by the specific position or program you are applying for, such as "I applied for a scholarship".