augment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "augment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to increasing, enhancing, or improving something, often in a technical or formal context. Example: "The company plans to augment its workforce by hiring additional staff to meet the growing demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Farm-Africa is working with raffia and beekeeping projects in an attempt to augment sources of income outside the forest.

The Guardian

Under this new arrangement, British Gas then took years of accumulated credit owed on accounts to augment its income.

The Guardian - Money

Federica Mogherini, the EU foreign policy coordinator chairing the meeting, said the decision to augment the sanctions was unanimous.

The Guardian

The new must augment the old, not replace it.

The Guardian

To augment their supply they must buy water, of dubious quality and at extortionate prices, from a well-connected water mafia.In fiery June residents of Sangam Vihar, a poor suburb of south Delhi, rioted after getting no water for two weeks.

The Economist

It is likely therefore that 3D printing will augment current production methods and be used where it is economically viable to do so.

The Economist

Perhaps the best way to think about AI is to see it as simply the latest in a long line of cognitive enhancements that humans have invented to augment the abilities of their brains.

The Economist

Two additional biotechnology advisory commissions one on health and the other on the environment, stuffed with laymen and ethicists as well as scientists will soon augment the existing paraphernalia of regulation.

The Economist

Labor in developing countries – countries with vast pools of underemployed people – can now more easily augment labor in the developed world, without having to relocate, in ways not thought possible only a few decades ago.

The Economist

His goal is to augment people's limbs with what he calls a "mobility platform", akin to a pair of magic trousers, that allows people to move quickly with minimal effort like riding a bicycle, but without the bicycle.

The Economist

It's out to pad its budget, augment its influence, and implement a political agenda Mark Levin and his ideological listeners already stand behind, more or less.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "augment" to convey a sense of improvement or addition that strengthens the original subject, rather than merely replacing it.

Common error

Avoid using "augment" when a complete replacement is intended. "Augment" implies an addition or enhancement to something already existing, not a substitution.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "augment" is as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its use in indicating the action of increasing or enhancing something, as shown in examples like "augment sources of income" or "augment the abilities of their brains".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "augment" functions as a transitive verb used to describe the act of increasing or enhancing something. Ludwig AI's analysis and numerous examples from sources such as The Economist and The Guardian confirm its frequent usage in neutral to formal contexts. While synonyms like "increase" or "enhance" exist, "augment" often conveys a more specific sense of strengthening or reinforcing what already exists. Remember to use "augment" when you aim to improve or add to something rather than completely replacing it. Its prevalence in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts makes it a versatile and valuable term for professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase

Focuses on making something larger in quantity or size; a direct synonym for adding to something.

enhance

Implies improving the quality, value, or attractiveness of something.

supplement

Suggests adding something to make up for a deficiency.

boost

Indicates a sudden increase or improvement.

expand

Refers to making something larger in scope or extent.

extend

Implies making something longer in duration or range.

amplify

Suggests increasing the intensity or loudness of something.

reinforce

Indicates strengthening or supporting something.

magnify

Implies making something appear larger than it is, often figuratively.

aggrandize

Refers to increasing the power, status, or wealth of someone, often excessively.

FAQs

How can I use "augment" in a sentence?

You can use "augment" to describe the act of increasing or enhancing something. For example, "The company plans to "augment its workforce"" or "We need to "augment our resources" to meet the demand."

What are some alternatives to the word "augment"?

Alternatives to "augment" include "increase", "enhance", "supplement", and "boost". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "augment with" or "augment by"?

Both "augment with" and "augment by" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Augment with" indicates what is being added (e.g., "augment the budget with additional funds"), while "augment by" specifies the amount of increase (e.g., "augment the budget by 10%").

What is the difference between "augment" and "supplement"?

"Augment" generally means to increase or enhance something, while "supplement" implies adding something to make up for a deficiency. You "augment income" to increase its amount, but you "supplement a diet" to provide missing nutrients.