applied for citizenship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "applied for citizenship" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process of formally requesting citizenship in a country. Example: "After living in the country for several years, she finally applied for citizenship to secure her future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And we applied for citizenship.

The New York Times

So I applied for citizenship.

The New Yorker

Feutchtwanger applied for citizenship, and immigration agents interviewed him.

The New York Times - Books

He applied for citizenship this year, Mr. Ayad said.

The New York Times

The singer had applied for citizenship in November, Mr Schmidt said.

The Guardian

Mr. Shteyn, who arrived in October 1998, never applied for citizenship.

The New York Times

In 2007, confident that he had redeemed himself, he applied for citizenship, disclosing his record.

The New York Times

Mr Vilks claims that over 3,000 Pakistanis applied for citizenship of Ladonia in 2002 alone.

The Economist

Inquiry developed that when she applied for citizenship, many years ago, she had been assisted by a Tammany captain.

The New Yorker

About 1.4 million immigrants applied for citizenship in the fiscal year that ended in September, according to government estimates.

The New York Times

By the time she applied for citizenship in December 2001, she had already made America her home the hard way.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "applied for citizenship", ensure you specify the country to which the application was made for clarity: "applied for U.S. citizenship".

Common error

Avoid using "apply for citizenship" when discussing a past action; use the past tense "applied for citizenship" to accurately reflect the timing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "applied for citizenship" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of formally requesting citizenship in a country. It describes a specific step in the naturalization process. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "applied for citizenship" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone has formally requested citizenship in a country. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used and accepted in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using the phrase, ensure that the tense is accurate (past tense for completed actions) and that you specify the country for clarity. Alternatives like "sought citizenship" or "requested naturalization" can be used for variety, but "applied for citizenship" remains a clear and straightforward choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sought citizenship

Focuses on the act of seeking citizenship, implying a determined effort.

requested naturalization

Highlights the formal request for citizenship through the naturalization process.

initiated citizenship process

Emphasizes the beginning of the formal steps to gain citizenship.

filed for naturalization

Stresses the filing of official documents to become a citizen.

submitted citizenship application

Highlights the act of submitting the application as the key action.

pursued citizenship

Indicates an ongoing effort to obtain citizenship.

commenced citizenship proceedings

Implies the legal procedures have started.

took steps toward citizenship

Suggests preliminary actions were taken to eventually apply.

expressed interest in citizenship

Highlights the intention to become a citizen, which may not involve a formal application yet.

undertook citizenship application

Emphasizes the commitment and effort involved in the application process.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "applied for citizenship"?

Saying someone "applied for citizenship" means they have formally submitted a request to become a citizen of a particular country, initiating the legal process of naturalization.

What is the difference between "applied for citizenship" and "naturalized"?

"Applied for citizenship" refers to the act of submitting an application, while "naturalized" means that the applicant has successfully completed the process and been granted citizenship.

What are some alternatives to "applied for citizenship"?

You can use alternatives like "sought citizenship", "requested naturalization", or "initiated citizenship process" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "apply for citizenship"?

Yes, "apply for citizenship" is correct when referring to the action in the present or future. However, when speaking of a past action, use "applied for citizenship".