administer

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "administer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the action of managing or controlling something, or the delegation of authority. For example: "The government administered the vaccine program to the population quickly and efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nick has to catheterise Alice to get a urine sample, but there is so little urine in her bladder that the team have to administer extra fluids to help things along.

The Guardian

In the meantime they administer tabloid-style "rough justice" to antisocial elements in working class nationalist areas.

The Guardian

There is a whole wing of French pancake cookery based around sticky liqueur sauces and laced creams, peaking with crêpes suzette but, certainly in the UK, most cooks cannot use alcohol as a subtle flavouring, only to administer a punch to the throat.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Kerry Mason, from Letterbox Library (who administer the award) added, "From boys who take up knitting to peace loving forest birds to fighting fascism, this year's shortlist entertained, tickled, provoked and rallied- but in the end, for all of our judges, Scarlet Ibis stood out for wrapping up very 'live', pressing, social concerns within skilled, gripping, storytelling".

The Guardian

"Every time an Iranian judge issues a death sentence for a child offender like Ebrahimi, he should remember he is in flagrantly violating his legal responsibilities to administer justice fairly and equitably," said HRW's Joe Stork.

The Guardian

His job is to administer the Queen of England's writ in Ireland.

The Guardian

Labor's shadow assistant treasurer, Andrew Leigh, told the same program he took "the old-fashioned view that parliament ought to write the competition laws and leave it to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to administer them".

The Guardian - Business

It is therefore crucial that environmental protection is fully integrated into international development programmes and the multilateral institutions, such as the World Bank, which administer them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Following a three-hour hearing at the court of session in Edinburgh, the judge accepted the club's petition for a judicial review as he ruled that the SFA could administer only the specific punishments stated in the rule relating to the disrepute charge.

The Guardian - Sport

While the creation of the Green Climate Fund to administer parts of the funding has important symbolic value, it is in danger of distracting from the most important issue.

The Guardian

Chua was also found guilty of 22 counts of attempted grievous bodily harm, one count of grievous bodily harm, seven of attempting to administer poison and one of administering poison.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "administer", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being managed or dispensed. Specificity enhances clarity. For instance, specify whether you are administering medication, justice, or a program.

Common error

Avoid using "administer" in very informal situations where simpler verbs like "give" or "manage" would be more appropriate. The formality of "administer" can sound overly formal in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The verb "administer" primarily functions to describe the act of managing, dispensing, or applying something formally. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and used in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "administer" is a versatile verb frequently used across various formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and utility in describing acts of managing, dispensing, or applying processes and resources. While highly suitable for professional, news, and formal settings, it's less appropriate for informal conversation where simpler alternatives may be more effective. Remember to specify what is being administered to enhance clarity and avoid overuse in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manage

Focuses on the overall control and direction of resources or people.

supervise

Emphasizes oversight and guidance, often in a hierarchical context.

oversee

Highlights the act of watching over a process or activity to ensure its proper execution.

execute

Focuses on carrying out plans or orders effectively.

conduct

Implies the organization and performance of a specific activity or experiment.

implement

Stresses the practical application of a plan or system.

regulate

Involves the imposition of rules or controls to maintain order or functionality.

control

Highlights the power to direct or determine outcomes.

govern

Implies authority and the establishment of policies and rules.

operate

Focuses on the functional execution and maintenance of a system or organization.

FAQs

How can I use "administer" in a sentence?

You can use "administer" to describe managing something, like "The nurse will administer the medication", or to describe the application of rules, like "The court must administer justice fairly".

What are some alternatives to "administer"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "manage", "supervise", or "oversee".

Is it correct to say "administer a test" or "give a test"?

Both are acceptable, but "administer a test" is more formal and suggests a standardized procedure. "Give a test" is more common in informal settings.

What is the difference between "administer" and "administrate"?

"Administer" generally means to manage or supervise the execution of something, while "administrate" is a less common variant with a similar meaning. "Administer" is generally preferred in modern usage.