I put in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I put in" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to indicate that someone has invested effort, time, or money into something. Examples: - "I put in a lot of hours studying for the exam, but I still failed." - "She put in a good word for me with her boss, which helped me get the job." - "We put in a new garden in the backyard last summer." - "He's put in a lot of money into renovating his house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I put in long days at work.

The New York Times

What can I put in?

The Guardian - Money

I put in one drop of atropine.

The Guardian

As is, I put in long hours.

The New York Times

"I put in for jobs, no one calls.

The New York Times

I put in for more, no one calls".

The New York Times

When Aifric and I put in at that little creek.

The New Yorker

Then started worrying if I put in too much.

The New York Times

The time I put in was pure enjoyment.' ".

The New York Times - Books

"I put in somewhere around 150 shows".

Forbes

And I got out exactly what I put in".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I put in" when you want to emphasize the effort, time, or resources you've committed to something. It's a versatile phrase applicable in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While versatile, excessive use of "I put in" in formal writing can sound less sophisticated. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "I dedicated", "I contributed", or "I invested" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I put in" typically functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of contributing or investing something, whether it be time, effort, resources, or applications. Ludwig confirms this is a standard and correct English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

22%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I put in" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the effort, time, or resources invested in something. Ludwig confirms its correctness. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience when choosing between "I put in" and more formal alternatives such as "I dedicated", "I contributed", or "I invested". Ludwig's analysis of various sources indicates that it's most frequently found in news and media, but also appears in business and science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I invested

Focuses on the commitment of resources, be it time, effort, or money, into something.

I dedicated

Emphasizes a commitment of time or effort towards a specific goal.

I contributed

Highlights the action of giving or supplying something, like effort or resources, to a common goal.

I devoted

Suggests a strong level of dedication and commitment to a particular cause or activity.

I committed

Highlights dedication or engagement to a particular course of action or belief.

I applied myself

Focuses on the effort and energy one directs towards achieving a goal.

I exerted

Implies using a considerable amount of effort or energy.

I furnished

Similar to "I put in" when referring to providing or supplying something.

I expended

Suggests the action of using up resources, energy, or time on something.

I supplied

Focuses on providing or contributing something needed or useful.

FAQs

How can I use "I put in" in a sentence?

You can use "I put in" to describe the effort, time, or resources you invested in something. For example: "I put in a lot of hours studying", or "I put in a new application for the job".

What are some alternatives to "I put in"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I invested", "I dedicated", or "I contributed". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is "I put in" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "I put in" is generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "I dedicated" or "I invested".

What's the difference between "I put in" and "I invested in"?

"I put in" generally refers to expending effort or time, whereas "I invested in" often implies a financial or resource-based contribution. However, "I invested time" is also a valid way to use invest. You can use a more formal phrase, like "I dedicated".