To appropriate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To appropriate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of taking something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission, or in a more neutral sense of acquiring something for a specific purpose. Example: "The artist was criticized for choosing to appropriate elements of indigenous culture in her work without proper acknowledgment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Allow me to appropriate this tired cliche.

The Guardian

A "yes" is a vote to appropriate the money.

The New York Times

And maybe other people want to appropriate those.

The New York Times

Nor is anyone threatening to appropriate their riches.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hasidim, but he don't believe 'em — to appropriate a joke.

The New Yorker

Congress is expected to appropriate about $2 billion this year.

The New York Times

One defence has been to appropriate the label.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tottenham fans began to appropriate the Y-word.

The Economist

b) Match consonant and short vowel sounds to appropriate letters.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

(Congress would still have to appropriate that money separately).

Huffington Post

Be sensitive to appropriate written and audiovisual content.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to appropriate", consider the context carefully. It can sometimes carry a negative connotation of taking something without permission, so ensure that the intended meaning is clear and justified by the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "to appropriate" excessively in formal writing when simpler alternatives like "to use" or "to allocate" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to appropriate" primarily functions as a verb, indicating an action of taking possession or allocating something for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI's examples showcase both the acquisitive and allocative senses of the phrase, aligning with its established grammatical role.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

44%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the infinitive phrase "to appropriate" encompasses both the act of taking something for one's own use and setting it aside for a specific purpose. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct phrase widely used across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. When using "to appropriate", it's important to be mindful of the context and potential negative connotations, opting for alternative phrasing like "to use" or "to allocate" when appropriate. By understanding these nuances, you can confidently and effectively incorporate "to appropriate" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To take

A more general term for acquiring something, lacking the specific connotations of setting aside or claiming exclusively.

To seize

Implies a forceful or sudden taking, often against resistance.

To allocate

Specifically refers to distributing resources or assigning them for a particular purpose.

To set aside

Focuses on reserving something for a specific use or person.

To earmark

Similar to "set aside", but typically refers to funds or resources.

To reserve

To keep something for future use or a specific person.

To annex

Often used in a political context, meaning to incorporate territory into a country or state.

To adopt

To take up or start to use or follow (an idea, method, or course of action).

To commandeer

To officially take possession or control of (something), especially for military purposes.

To usurp

To take (a position of power or importance) illegally or by force.

FAQs

How can I use "to appropriate" in a sentence?

You can use "to appropriate" in sentences like, "The company sought to appropriate funds for the new project", or "The artist was accused of choosing "to appropriate" elements of other cultures without permission".

What are some alternatives "to appropriate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to take", "to allocate", "to seize", or "to set aside".

When is it appropriate to use "to appropriate" instead of "to use"?

"To appropriate" is more suitable when emphasizing the act of setting something aside for a specific purpose or taking something, sometimes without explicit permission, while "to use" is a more general term for employing something.

What is the difference between "to appropriate" and "to misappropriate"?

"To appropriate" means "to take" something for one's own use, possibly legitimately, while "to misappropriate" specifically means to use something wrongly or dishonestly.