activate something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "activate something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the process of starting or enabling a function, feature, or system. Example: "To use the new software, you need to activate something in the settings menu."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have had work that has activated something.

The New York Times

As the musicians reached for common understanding, they activated something boundless and radiant within their songs.

The New York Times - Arts

'I'm surrendering to him because he has hegemony over me.' That submission activates something inside someone.

The New Yorker

The reaction begins when an antibody activates something called a mast cell, which then blasts out a barrage of chemicals.

Independent

It has been influential, in part because like so much great work it freshly activates something we have always known but lacked the precise words for.

The Guardian - Books

In another instance, a player activated something called a Key Mouth by placing an item in what appeared to be the mouth of a face carved in stone set in a wall.

The Guardian - Tech

And even then we can only begin to draw conclusions about an attachment when the child's attachment system has been activated – something happens to create the need for an attachment figure to help out.

The Guardian

When you open a menu, the commands are too close together; even if your finger seems to be squarely on the proper item, your click often winds up activating something else in the list.

The New York Times - Tech

"It activated something he was very good at but that he never used," said Mr. Vo, who asked his father to send an original transcription of the letter to anyone requesting it for 100 euros and to archive all the exchanges.

The New York Times - Arts

I, and others, were rather impressed they added (ok, activated) something that requires hardware to achieve.

Forbes

Flurry notes that 264 million is about half of what Apple and Google say they've activated – something that can be accounted for by old device replacement.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "activate something", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being activated and the intended outcome. For example, "activate the emergency protocol" is more precise than simply "activate something".

Common error

Avoid using "activate something" without specifying what 'something' is. This can lead to confusion and ambiguity. Always provide enough context to make the meaning clear to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "activate something" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "activate" is the verb and "something" serves as the direct object. This phrase is used to describe the act of initiating or enabling a process, function, or system.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "activate something" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the initiation or enabling of a function, process, or system. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Although it is relatively rare, it is most frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what 'something' refers to, and consider alternatives like "trigger something" or "enable something" for nuanced meanings. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "activate something" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trigger something

Focuses on initiating an action or process, often implying a cause-and-effect relationship.

initiate something

Emphasizes the beginning or start of a process or action.

enable something

Highlights the act of making something possible or operational.

start something

A general term for beginning a process or activity.

launch something

Implies a formal or significant beginning, often used for products or initiatives.

set off something

Suggests causing something to begin, often with a chain reaction.

kick-start something

Implies providing an initial boost to begin a process or activity.

turn on something

Specifically refers to enabling a device or function, often related to electronics.

switch on something

Similar to "turn on something", often used in British English.

power up something

Suggests providing power to start a device or system.

FAQs

What does "activate something" mean?

The phrase "activate something" means to initiate or enable a function, feature, or system. It implies starting a process or making something operational.

How to use "activate something" in a sentence?

You can use "activate something" in sentences like: "To use the new software, you need to "enable something" in the settings menu." or "Trigger something productive for the community".

What can I say instead of "activate something"?

You can use alternatives like "trigger something", "initiate something", or "enable something" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "activate something" or "activation of something"?

"Activate something" is a verb phrase, while "activation of something" is a noun phrase. The choice depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence. For example, "Activate the system" vs. "The activation of the system is required".