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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
applying onto
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "applying onto" is not standard in written English and is generally considered incorrect.
You can use "applying" on its own or with "to" instead of "onto." Example: "The researchers are applying the new method to their experiments."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
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
At the days indicated in the Figure legend, 1 ml of each culture was pelleted at 16,000×g for 10 minutes at room temperature, washed twice with HEPES buffer, and resuspended into 16 µl of 50 mM EDTA before applying onto gels.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
parvum antibody was applied onto the glass slide.
Supernatants were applied onto a HisPrep column (GE Healthcare) charged with 100 mM NiSO4.
Science & Research
The solution was applied onto carbon-coated copper grids without any further dilution or purification.
Science & Research
E-Ink can be applied onto virtually any surface, including glass, plastic, fabric, and even paper.
News & Media
Supernatants were applied onto a Glutathione Sepharose High Performance column (GE Healthcare).
Science & Research
To avoid frizz, use spray-on wax, he tells his clients, but "always applied onto the fingers first".
News & Media
The specimen suspensions (2.5 μl) were applied onto a carbon-coated copper grid that had been glow-discharged beforehand.
Science & Research
at 95 °C before being applied onto 12% Bis-Tris Plus gel (Invitrogen) and run at 200 V for 22 min.
Science & Research
Vesicle and micelle solutions were applied onto human skin in vitro and in vivo.
This newly developed PEDOT/PSS-based transparent anode is successfully applied onto flexible substrates.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Favor the simpler and more conventional phrasing "applying to" in most contexts. This ensures clarity and avoids potential grammatical objections.
Common error
Avoid using "onto" unnecessarily. Often, "to" is sufficient and maintains grammatical correctness. For example, prefer "applying the solution to the skin" over "applying the solution onto the skin".
Source & Trust
75%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "applying onto" functions as a verb phrase with a preposition, indicating the action of placing or implementing something on a surface. As Ludwig AI suggests, the formulation "applying to" is more grammatically sound.
Frequent in
Science
65%
News & Media
15%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Wiki
5%
Encyclopedias
3%
Reference
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "applying onto" is generally considered grammatically incorrect, with only a handful of examples found in diverse sources. Ludwig AI recommends using "applying to" as a more standard alternative. While present in some scientific and news contexts, it is less common in formal writing. It's better to use simpler phrasing for clarity and grammatical correctness. Remember that, while understandable, this isn’t a widely accepted phrasing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
applying to
A more grammatically standard and widely accepted alternative.
placing on
Emphasizes the physical act of putting something onto a surface.
spreading over
Suggests a broader coverage when applying a substance.
affixing to
Implies a more secure or permanent attachment.
coating with
Specifically refers to covering a surface with a layer of something.
administering to
Commonly used in medical or formal contexts where something is being applied.
implementing on
Focuses on applying a plan or system to a specific area.
superimposing on
Suggests placing one thing over another, often used in visual contexts.
grafting onto
Typically used in biological contexts for attaching living tissue.
transferring to
Implies moving something from one place to a surface.
FAQs
Is "applying onto" grammatically correct?
The phrase "applying onto" is generally considered incorrect in standard English. It's better to use "applying to" or simply "applying".
What are some alternatives to "applying onto"?
Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "placing on", "spreading over", or "affixing to".
How can I use "applying to" in a sentence?
You can say, "The researchers are "applying to" a new method to their experiments", or "She is "applying to" several universities".
What's the difference between "applying to" and "applying for"?
"Applying to" generally refers to applying something to a surface or situation, while "applying for" refers to making a formal request, such as for a job or a grant.
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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
75%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested