applicable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'applicable' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'applicable' to describe something that is suitable or relevant to a particular situation or circumstance. For example, "The new rules are applicable to all employees in the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Provided GNM has received your notice of cancellation within this time frame (and acknowledged your notice), GNM will refund any fees received from you less the deposit where applicable.

The Guardian

"This is applicable to the white population, but in in our population, many people are hesitant to engage with this.

The Guardian

Amazon said: "Amazon pays all applicable taxes in every jurisdiction that it operates within.

The Guardian - Business

So it's choosing things that are applicable to yourself.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After the MEN intervened, Thorntons apologised, saying: "The Company does abide by copyright laws but these were not applicable in this case".

The Guardian

The Client shall pay any VAT properly applied to the Fees due at the applicable rate. 5.

The Guardian

Then an old adage came ringing back into my head, a nugget of advice intended for leading roles but surely just as applicable to cameos: "When you are struggling to unlock a part, at all times return to the text.

The Guardian

The ability to have your pictures and documents and apps synchronised without the tedious plugging and unplugging of wires is going to be a great relief to millions – and iCloud is applicable for phones back to the iPhone 3GS from 2009, and iPod Touches released after that period too.

The Guardian - Tech

"Embassy officials regularly make representations with appropriate labour officials on behalf of the migrant workers to ensure that they be accorded what is due them pursuant to Qatar's labour law and other applicable regulations," he said.

The Guardian

Discounts are not applicable to UEA, Bespoke or partnership courses. 5. Feedback and Complaints 5.1.

The Guardian

Ian Fogg, a mobile analyst, reckons there are about 200m applicable iOS devices (iPhones, iPod Touches and iPads) in use.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "applicable" when you want to emphasize that something is relevant and appropriate for a particular situation. Be sure the context clearly shows what it applies to. For example: "These rules are only applicable to senior staff."

Common error

Avoid using "applicable" without clearly specifying what it applies to. Instead of saying "This is applicable", clarify with "This rule is applicable to all new employees" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The word "applicable" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are relevant or suitable for a specific situation or purpose. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this word follows standard grammar rules and is widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "applicable" functions as an adjective indicating relevance and suitability, with a neutral to formal register. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. The word is used across various contexts including news, business and science, and as an adjective is used to provide important clarification and specification. When using "applicable", ensure the context is clear about what it applies to, and consider related phrases like "relevant", "appropriate", or "suitable" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relevant

Focuses on the direct connection or pertinence to the matter at hand.

pertinent

Emphasizes direct relevance and importance to the subject.

appropriate

Highlights the suitability for a specific purpose or situation.

suitable

Indicates a good match or fit for a particular context.

fitting

Suggests something that is naturally or logically appropriate.

germane

Implies a close and significant relationship to the matter being considered.

on point

More informal way to say something is directly relevant.

apropos

Suggests that something is highly appropriate or opportune.

to the purpose

Highlights the suitability for a specific purpose or goal.

material

Indicates that something is important and has significance for the situation.

FAQs

How to use "applicable" in a sentence?

You can use "applicable" to describe something that is relevant or suitable for a particular situation. For instance, "The discount is "applicable" to all students with a valid ID".

What can I say instead of "applicable"?

You can use alternatives like "relevant", "appropriate", or "suitable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "applicable to" or "applicable for"?

"Applicable to" is generally preferred when indicating the subject or situation to which something applies. While "applicable for" isn't incorrect, "applicable to" is more common in formal writing.

What's the difference between "applicable" and "relevant"?

While both terms indicate a connection to the matter at hand, "applicable" suggests that something can be directly applied or used, while "relevant" simply means it is related or important to the situation.