Insert

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "insert" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of placing or inserting something into something else. For example, "I need to insert the key into the door to open it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One once recorded an urge to slip her hand under his sponsor's sweatshirt 'to see if there's a slot in his back where they insert the software'.

The Guardian - Sport

But he also succeeds in making a complicated subject compelling, and if you want to know how to insert drama into dusty old economics, imagine Peston on a busy Parisian street at dusk, sweeping into shot like Bernard Henri-Levy in a flowing coat and floppy scarf, pronouncing the phrase "SAVAGE COLOSSAL AUSTERITY" to the camera.

The Guardian

Don't let them know you have the advantage until it's too late (insert your college movie-appropriate scene here).

The Guardian - Sport

Ponting's relationship with what has gone before is often tailored to suit his needs of the moment, an attitude born out by his reasonable insistence that his decision then to insert England when he was a Glenn McGrath down has no bearing on current circumstances.

The Guardian - Sport

The app allows users to insert 23 different scenarios of the North Korean leader into scenes of their "outrageous" home videos.

The Guardian

Not an impressive performance from Juventus at all, but you can insert your own cliché about great teams winning even when they play badly here.

The Guardian - Sport

Then I took a single bullet, pretended to insert it into the cylinder, and pointed the gun at my friends.

The Guardian

But times are changing, and there are complaints that the Hugos are being used "as an affirmative action award: giving Hugos because a writer or artist is (insert under-represented minority or victim group here) or because a work features (insert under-represented minority or victim group here) characters".

The Guardian - Opinion

PD Back before folks could insert words into apps and get a computer programme to funny them up for them, Graeme Souness invented an entertaining gimmick for turning people's names into swear words.

The Guardian - Sport

StubHub included the pointed insert, "Stewart, I would also like to mention to you that the act of reselling tickets is legal in the UK".

The Guardian - Opinion

It was announced at the end of March that plans are in the works to digitally insert Bruce Lee, 42 years after his death, into Ip Man 3, the third film in a series about his former teacher.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insert" in technical writing, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Specify the exact location or method of insertion.

Common error

Avoid using "insert" in overly casual conversations where simpler words like "put" or "add" would be more appropriate. "Insert" can sound stilted in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "insert" is as a transitive verb, indicating an action performed on an object, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples. It typically requires a direct object specifying what is being inserted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "insert" is a grammatically sound and frequently utilized term across diverse contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for describing the act of placing or introducing something within something else. With examples ranging from news articles in The Guardian and The Economist, to instructions on WikiHow, its versatility is apparent. While alternatives like "place", "add", or "introduce" may suit certain situations, understanding the nuances of "insert" ensures precise and effective communication. Remember to use it thoughtfully, especially in informal settings where simpler words might be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Place into

Emphasizes the action of putting something in a specific location.

Introduce into

Highlights the action of bringing something new into a context or system.

Put in

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the action of placing something.

Enter into

Focuses on the act of something gaining access or becoming part of something else.

Add to

Implies combining something with an existing entity.

Incorporate into

Highlights the integration of something into a larger whole.

Embed in

Stresses the action of fixing something firmly within a surrounding mass.

Set in place

Highlights the act of putting something in its correct position.

Tuck into

Suggests placing something snugly or securely within something else.

Slip into

Implies smoothly or easily placing something into something else.

FAQs

How to use "insert" in a sentence?

You can use "insert" to describe the act of placing something into something else, for example, "Please "insert" the key into the lock".

What can I say instead of "insert"?

You can use alternatives like "place into", "add to", or "introduce into" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "insert into" or "insert in"?

"Insert into" is generally more accurate when specifying placement within something. "Insert in" might be suitable in limited contexts but is less common.

What's the difference between "insert" and "embed"?

"Insert" generally means to place something in, while "embed" suggests fixing something firmly within a surrounding mass. Embed often implies greater integration.