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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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applies on

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "applies on" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "applies to," which is used to indicate relevance or applicability to a particular subject or situation. Example: "This rule applies to all employees regardless of their position."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This phenomenon applies on a national scale.

A similar pace applies on game day.

But I don't see whether that applies on election night.

News & Media

The New York Times

And which Mr. Ivory also applies on the set.

News & Media

The New York Times

The volume licensing applies on a per service request basis.

(1) This section applies on and after September 16, 2014.

Getting on with their own thing applies on a wider scale, too.

This is lower than the 50% rate George Osborne applies on similar incomes.

It is 24 hours (48 hours applies on a holiday weekend).

The same applies on New Year's Day following New Year's Eve too.

Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Keough aims to collect a flat fee of $10 on loan leads to banks and a 0.25% cut if the borrower applies on-line.

News & Media

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "applies to" instead of "applies on" for correct grammar. "Applies to" is the standard and accepted form in both formal and informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "on" with "applies". The correct preposition is "to". Using "applies on" can make your writing sound unprofessional and grammatically incorrect.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "applies on" functions as a verb phrase with a preposition, attempting to express relevance or applicability. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "applies to".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "applies on" is frequently encountered, it is grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the correct form is "applies to". This correction is crucial for maintaining clarity and professionalism in writing. Although "applies on" appears in various contexts, particularly in news and academic sources, adhering to the correct usage enhances the credibility and readability of your work. Alternatives like "is applicable to" and "pertains to" can also be used depending on the desired level of formality.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "applies" with a preposition?

The correct way is to use "applies to". For example, "This rule applies to all students" is correct, while "This rule applies on all students" is incorrect.

Is "applies on" ever correct?

No, "applies on" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct phrase is "applies to".

What can I say instead of "applies on"?

Use "applies to", "is applicable to", or "pertains to" as alternatives.

How does using "applies on" affect the clarity of my writing?

Using "applies on" can confuse readers and make your writing seem less professional. Sticking to the correct phrase, "applies to", ensures clarity and credibility.

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: