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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
apply the sludge on
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "apply the sludge on" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to describe the action of putting sludge onto a surface or material, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "You need to apply the sludge on the affected area to promote healing."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Wiki
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Farmers apply the sludge on fields.
Science & Research
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
"If the concentration of silver is high," he told me, "there will be really high concentrations of silver in the sludge - if you apply the sludge onto agricultural land it will probably damage organisms there".
News & Media
By applying the sludge in thin layers, the sludge naturally forms its own stack with an angle that is dependent on the consistency of the material.
Science
The composition of the sludge on a dry-matter basis was not altered.
Antimicrobials applied as sewer sludge on land constitute a pathway for transfer of these chemicals into animal feed and crops destined for human consumption.
Activated sludge plant applies the microbiological process for the degradation of organic pollutants in water.
Science
Analogous ecological principles of microbial selection apply from activated sludge to granular sludge ecosystems with the essential difference that granules are governed by diffusion limitations through which different redox potentials are created on micrometre scale.
Science
The results showed that the applied sludge loading rates were higher than the corresponding SMAs of the PM reactor sludge, but were close to the corresponding SMAs of the BSG reactor sludge, except for the starting period of the two-stage BSG-EGSB (Table 3).
Science
To evaluate the residual effect of the sludge applied to cane plant on the cane ratoon growth, mineral NK fertilizers were applied at the rates of 120 kg ha−1 N and 140 kg ha−1 of K2O, on all treatments.
Based on the German sewage sludge ordinance (5 tons of dry sludge can be applied per hectare in 3 years, see the 'Methods' section), 1.67 g dry sludge/kg dry soil could be applied as sludge to the test soil.
Apply the pack on face.
Wiki
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing the act of putting sludge on a surface, prefer the phrasing "apply sludge to" as it is more grammatically sound and widely accepted.
Common error
Avoid using "on" after "apply the sludge"; instead, use "to" to indicate the object receiving the sludge. For example, it's more accurate to say "apply the sludge to the field" rather than "apply the sludge on the field".
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "apply the sludge on" functions as a directive, instructing someone to perform the action of putting sludge onto something. However, it is important to note that Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically questionable. The correct and more frequent form is "apply the sludge to".
Frequent in
Science
34%
News & Media
33%
Wiki
8%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "apply the sludge on" is used to describe the action of placing sludge onto something, but is considered grammatically questionable according to Ludwig AI. While it appears across different source types like science, news and wiki, its use is infrequent. For clearer and more grammatically sound communication, it's recommended to opt for alternatives such as "apply sludge to", "spread sludge over", or "put sludge onto". Always consider the context and audience to ensure the chosen phrase is both accurate and appropriate.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
apply sludge to
Uses the preposition "to" instead of "on" to connect the verb and noun.
spread sludge over
Uses 'spread' instead of 'apply' and 'over' to indicate distribution on a surface.
put sludge onto
Replaces 'apply' with 'put' and uses 'onto' to specify placement.
lay sludge on
Replaces apply with lay which has the same meaning in this context.
distribute sludge across
Employs 'distribute' to emphasize even spreading and 'across' to denote area.
deposit sludge on
Focuses on the action of leaving sludge on a surface.
smear sludge on
Suggests a less precise, more casual application.
place sludge upon
Uses more formal language than the original query.
cover with sludge
Focuses on the action of covering a surface with sludge.
coat with sludge
Implies a thin layer of sludge is applied.
FAQs
What is a grammatically correct alternative to "apply the sludge on"?
A more grammatically correct alternative is "apply the sludge to", which properly connects the action to the recipient.
Can I use "apply the sludge on" in formal writing?
It's best to avoid "apply the sludge on" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more standard phrases such as "spread sludge over" or "put sludge onto".
Is there a difference between "apply the sludge to" and "apply the sludge on"?
Yes, "apply the sludge to" is grammatically preferable as it uses the correct preposition. "Apply the sludge on" is generally considered incorrect.
What does it mean to "apply the sludge to" something?
To "apply the sludge to" something means to spread or put sludge onto a surface or area, often for agricultural or disposal purposes.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested