allegiance

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "allegiance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a duty of fidelity or to signify loyalty or commitment to a person, group, or cause. Example sentence: I pledge my allegiance to my country and its ideals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thousands turned up including many families of the IRA's notoriously militant East Tyrone Brigade, some of whom were there to show they had switched allegiance away from Sinn Fein to the anti-ceasefire republican groups like the now defunct Real IRA, which has morphed into the new IRA.

The Guardian

Instead, the decision is expected to lead to Democrats switching allegiance to the independent, Greg Orman, who according to one recent poll already enjoys a seven point lead over Roberts in the deep-red state.

The Guardian

"We have several examples in history where leaders of this country asked if people should state their allegiance.

The Guardian

Nigeria's militant Islamist group Boko Haram has sworn allegiance to Islamic State, which rules a self-declared caliphate in parts of Iraq and Syria, according to a video posted online.

The Guardian

On Saturday, the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, pledged his group's allegiance to Islamic State, which rules a self-declared caliphate in parts of Iraq and Syria, raising fears that the conflict largely restricted to north-east Nigeria could suck in Isis fighters from north Africa.

The Guardian

It continued: "While we continue to make every commitment to LSE students in support of their right to free speech, our allegiance to and duty of care must remain with them and cannot be extended to outsiders.

The Guardian

Related: The cost of caring – why I had to leave the charity sector Admittedly, though, I have pledged allegiance to the loyalty cult more often than not, and I find myself not even wanting to be critical in case I hurt the founder's feelings or fall out of favour.

The Guardian

Nearly half the British population want the 3% who are Muslim to "make a special effort to state their allegiance to Britain", whatever that might mean.

The Guardian

And those who turned 30 over the past four years have maintained their Democratic allegiance from 2008.

The Guardian - Opinion

People are much more likely to choose that allegiance rather than inherit it".

The Guardian

The book is required reading in schools, where children must pledge allegiance to him every morning.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "allegiance", clearly specify the object or entity to which the loyalty is directed to avoid ambiguity. For example, "pledge allegiance to the flag" or "show allegiance to the company".

Common error

Avoid using "allegiance" loosely to describe simple preferences or affiliations. "Allegiance" implies a significant commitment, so reserve it for situations involving deep loyalty or duty rather than casual associations.

Linguistic Context

The word "allegiance" functions primarily as a noun, representing the duty of fidelity and support owed to a government, sovereign, or other entity. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in contexts involving formal declarations and shifts in loyalty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "allegiance" is a noun denoting loyalty or commitment to a person, group, or cause. It is grammatically correct and very commonly used, as supported by numerous examples in Ludwig. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies a duty of fidelity and is frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts. To ensure clarity, specify the object of the loyalty. While "allegiance" is generally neutral in tone, it becomes formal in contexts like oaths. Related terms include "loyalty", "fidelity", and "devotion". Avoid using "allegiance" loosely for simple preferences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

loyalty

Focuses on faithfulness and devotion to a person, group, or cause.

fidelity

Emphasizes strict adherence to obligations, duties, or promises.

devotion

Highlights deep affection and dedication to a person or cause.

commitment

Stresses a firm decision to dedicate oneself to a particular cause or activity.

dedication

Implies a focused and sustained effort towards a specific goal or purpose.

fealty

Signifies a formal pledge of loyalty, often in a historical or hierarchical context.

adherence

Highlights the act of sticking closely to a set of rules, beliefs, or principles.

obedience

Emphasizes compliance with commands or instructions from a superior authority.

support

Highlights providing assistance to a person or group.

patriotism

Indicates love and devotion to one's country.

FAQs

What does "allegiance" mean?

"Allegiance" refers to the loyalty or commitment of a person or group to a leader, nation, cause, or other entity.

How is "allegiance" used in a sentence?

You can use "allegiance" in sentences like, "The citizens swore an oath of "loyalty" to the new government" or "His "dedication" to the cause never wavered".

What are some words similar to "allegiance"?

Synonyms for "allegiance" include "loyalty", "fidelity", "devotion", and "commitment".

Is it correct to say "pledge allegiance to"?

Yes, "pledge allegiance to" is a common and correct phrase used to express a formal declaration of loyalty. For example, "They will "swear their loyalty" to the caliph of the Muslims..."