address

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "address" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this word as a verb (to speak to someone directly and seriously), as a noun (a location where something can be sent), or as an adjectival phrase ("address the issue"). For example, "The principal addressed the assembly in a powerful speech" or "I need your home address to send you a package" or "We must address this issue in the next meeting".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have got to address it.

The Guardian

And we will address it".

The Guardian

To be considered for publication on Saturday, emails should include a full postal address (not for publication), must reach us by midday on the preceding Tuesday and may be edited.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We have already put actions in place to address some of the issues they face.

The Guardian

4. To enter the Competition you must submit your entry to the relevant Guardian Witness assignment, providing an email address by which the photographer of the image can be contacted.

The Guardian

Share your views in the comments section below and tell us whether fundraising regulation needs an overhaul to address these issues.

The Guardian

We seem to have no politicians big enough to address the issue of a viable future for working people.

The Guardian

Zoe Quinn, the game developer whose online harassment eventually spawned the anti-feminist GamerGate movement, said it was "nice to see Twitter trying to address this issue".

The Guardian - Tech

In this month's podcast, we'll look at forced labour and the role of international conventions in offering protection; the realities of working on the frontline against slavery; some of the trends in the anti-slavery movement; and the Centre of Social Justice report into the failures of the UK government to address human trafficking.

The Guardian

"We need to bring together a coalition of Americans who want to believe again in the miracle of America," said Cruz, in a sermon-style address that attacked the Internal Revenue Service and condemned the employees of the Environmental Protection Agency as "locusts".

The Guardian

That is emblematic of a wider challenge the party has yet to address.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "address" as a verb, ensure the context clearly indicates what you are addressing, whether it's a problem, a person, or an issue. For example, "address the concerns" is more effective than simply "address".

Common error

While "address" is suitable for many situations, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Alternatives like "resolve", "manage", or "handle" can provide variety and prevent your text from sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "address" varies depending on context. As a verb, it signifies the action of speaking to or dealing with something directly, as shown by Ludwig with examples like "We have got to address it." As a noun, it denotes a location or speech.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "address" is a versatile term that functions both as a verb and a noun, with a primarily neutral register leaning towards professional contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, noting its common usage in various domains. As evidenced by the numerous examples from authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, "address" is frequently used in news and media, as well as in formal business contexts. While highly versatile, writers should remain mindful of context to maximize clarity and choose appropriate synonyms when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tackle

Refers to dealing with or handling a problem or issue.

handle

Implies managing or dealing with a situation or subject.

resolve

Suggests finding a solution or settling a matter.

deal with

Indicates taking action to manage or cope with something.

attend to

Means to take care of or give attention to something.

take up

Suggests starting to deal with or be involved in something.

look into

Implies investigating or examining a matter.

sort out

Means to resolve or organize something.

fix

Indicates repairing or resolving a problem.

correct

Suggests making something accurate or right.

FAQs

How can I use "address" in a sentence?

You can use "address" as a verb, meaning to speak to or deal with something, as in "The president will "address" the nation tonight." As a noun, it refers to a location, like "What is your "address"?"

What are some alternatives to the verb "address"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "tackle", "handle", "resolve", or "deal with".

Is it correct to say "address the elephant in the room"?

Yes, "address the elephant in the room" is a common idiom meaning to bring up a sensitive or controversial issue that everyone is aware of but avoids discussing.

What's the difference between "address" and "tackle" a problem?

"Address" generally means to direct attention towards a problem. "Tackle", on the other hand, implies a more vigorous and direct approach to solving the problem.