applied

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "applied" is correct and used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation in which an action is being taken to implement a change or idea. For example: "The new policy was applied in order to reduce employee turnover."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My party and, indeed, the Conservative party have been on record as being very against the proposal by the previous Labour government, for instance, to legislate for a wider amnesty and we want to see the rule of law always be applied.

The Guardian

In September 2012, as part of my PhD studies, I made a routine request under the Freedom of Information Act asking the Department for Education to release the application forms submitted by groups who had applied to open free schools, and the letters sent to inform them about the government's decision to either grant or deny their application.

The Guardian

His production of Ben Jonson's The Devil Is an Ass applied the knife to yards of text, and his West Yorkshire Playhouse production of the children's classic Peter Pan was so dark and grim that one set of parents threatened to sue on the grounds that their child had been traumatised.

The Guardian

This week, the blacklisted workers said they have applied to be given a central role in the inquiry.

The Guardian

Catherine Cook, the hospital's infection control nurse, said the gel should be applied "before you touch a patient and after you touch a patient to disinfect your hands".

The Guardian

This week, a spokesman for Shenhua said the company expected the water trigger to be applied as part of the commonwealth assessment and "we have prepared accordingly".

The Guardian

Moyes had been told about Valencia's fans, about the pressure applied.

The Guardian - Sport

And the UK government has used every manner of evasion – including trying out the preposterous argument that because the term genocide was adopted by the UN in 1948, it couldn't be applied retrospectively.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is our right as a citizen to get married and it is a right that should be applied equally".

The Guardian

Scottish National Party (p10): "we will seek additional investment to support a more rapid rollout of superfast broadband and 4G across Scotland and to support wider and affordable access to the internet in our most disadvantaged communities, and for a universal service obligation to be applied to telecoms and broadband providers ensuring everyone is able to access the communications they need".

The Guardian - Tech

The ECJ ruling followed a court case brought in Spain by Mario Costeja González, a lawyer who argued that under the European Data Protection directive any company carrying out "data processing" should have to remove information about him that was "outdated, wrong or irrelevant" which he argued applied to a Spanish newspaper's online report in March 1998 about financial problems he had had.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "applied", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being implemented or utilized, providing a direct connection to the subject matter.

Common error

Avoid using "applied" in vague contexts where the specific action or implementation isn't clear. Always ensure the reader understands what is being "applied" and to what end.

Linguistic Context

The word "applied" functions primarily as a past participle of the verb "apply", often used to describe something that has been put into practical use or action. It can also function as an adjective, as exemplified in Ludwig or in contexts like "applied mathematics".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

The Guardian - Sport

15%

The Guardian - Tech

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "applied" is a versatile term primarily used as the past participle of "apply" or as an adjective, signifying implementation or practical use. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and frequently used. Its prevalence across news sources, academic texts, and business documents showcases its broad applicability. To use "applied" effectively, ensure that the context clearly specifies what is being implemented or utilized. While generally neutral in tone, "applied" is more often found in formal and analytical writing. Considering its varied applications and the insights from Ludwig, understanding its nuances can significantly enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implemented

Focuses on the process of putting a decision or plan into effect.

utilized

Emphasizes the practical use of something, often for a specific purpose.

employed

Highlights the act of using something as a means to an end.

enforced

Implies compelling obedience to a law or rule.

administered

Suggests managing or supervising the execution of something.

put into practice

Highlights the transition from theory to practical application.

brought to bear

Indicates the exertion of influence or pressure.

effectuated

Focuses on making something happen or bringing about a result.

exercised

Implies the use of a skill, right, or quality.

brought into play

Highlights introducing something as an active or influential factor.

FAQs

How is "applied" used in a sentence?

"Applied" can describe something put into practical use, as in "applied science", or it can be the past tense of "apply", meaning to put something to use, such as "the rule was "applied fairly"".

What are some synonyms for "applied"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "applied" include "implemented", "utilized", "employed", or "enforced".

Is it correct to say "the knowledge was applied"?

Yes, it is correct. It indicates that the knowledge was put into practical use or action. For example, "the knowledge gained from the course was "applied effectively" in the project".

What is the difference between "applied" and "used"?

"Applied" suggests a more deliberate or formal implementation of something, while "used" is a more general term for putting something into service. For example, one might say "the theory was "applied rigorously"" or "the tool was simply "used regularly"".