Invent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Invent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of creating or devising something new, such as an idea, product, or process. Example: "Thomas Edison is famous for his ability to invent groundbreaking technologies that changed the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The more the western world was able to invent and innovate in the past 300 years, the more "civilised" it became.

The Guardian

I wonder what quackery the Kuwaiti authorities plan to invent in their vain attempt to identify gay men.

The Guardian

Unless England end up doing uncharacteristically well – or unless someone happens to invent a horrible-sounding musical instrument with a funny name – then I have to admit that a World Cup can often pass me by.

The Guardian - Opinion

James Barty is senior adviser on financial policy at Policy Exchange If the Occupy movement didn't exist, the banking community would have to invent them.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is strong potential that the digital content we create today could be lost forever – unless we invent new ways to preserve it.

The Guardian

This structural dilemma should also give pause to those looking to Christian Democracy as a model to invent a softer, compassionate, post-Thatcherite conservatism on either side of the Atlantic.

The Guardian - Opinion

Where adventure stories used to depict a landscape alive with youngsters finding buried treasure, thwarting robbers and rounding up Nazi spies, the constraints on modern children mean authors must now invent whole fantastic worlds before their young heroes can enjoy any freedom.

The Guardian - Opinion

Let us hope that God will help us and we will not have to invent a new type of political system instead of democracy that would need to be introduced for the sake of economic survival … Co-operation is a question of force, not of intention.

The Guardian

A few days later he went on to invent rock and roll.

The Guardian - Film

And, he said, there was another moral difference between him and his competitors: he wouldn't invent fake accolades; he'd only put the truth up there.

The Guardian - Tech

The Kremlin didn't invent Europe's far-right parties.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Invent" when you want to emphasize the novelty and originality of a creation. For technical or scientific contexts, pair it with nouns like 'device', 'method', or 'process' to highlight innovation.

Common error

Avoid using "Invent" when you actually mean 'discover'. "Invent" implies creating something entirely new, whereas 'discover' means finding something that already exists. For example, you invent a machine, but you discover a new species.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Invent" is as a transitive verb. It typically requires a direct object, indicating what is being created or devised. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, such as "invent new ways" or "invent a new nation". Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "Invent" is used to describe the act of creating something entirely new. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. When writing, remember that "Invent" implies originality and should not be confused with 'discover'. Alternatives like "create", "devise", and "design" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Ludwig's examples illustrate the breadth of its application, from technology to social systems. To communicate effectively, use "Invent" when you want to emphasize the originality of a creation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Create

Emphasizes bringing something new into existence, whether tangible or intangible.

Devise

Focuses on planning and contriving a complex idea or solution.

Come up with

A more informal way to describe devising or creating something.

Design

Highlights the planning and aesthetic aspects of creation.

Conceptualize

Emphasizes the formation of an idea or concept in the mind.

Formulate

Suggests a careful and systematic creation of a plan or strategy.

Concoct

Often implies creating something unusual or perhaps deceptive.

Originate

Focuses on being the starting point or source of something.

Pioneer

Implies being the first to develop or use something.

Coin

Usually refers to inventing a new word or phrase.

FAQs

How to use "Invent" in a sentence?

You can use "Invent" to describe the creation of something new, such as "He managed to invent a new type of engine". It emphasizes originality and ingenuity.

What can I say instead of "Invent"?

You can use alternatives like "create", "devise", or "design" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "Invent a new technology" or "Discover a new technology"?

"Invent a new technology" is correct. You "invent" something that did not exist before, while you discover something that already exists but was previously unknown.

What's the difference between "Invent" and "Discover"?

"Invent" means to create or design something that has not existed before, while "Discover" means to find something that already exists but was not previously known. Therefore, you "invent" a new machine, but you "discover" a new planet.