award them

USAGE SUMMARY

'award them' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a group of people who have done something deserving of recognition. For example, "After their hard work on the project, we decided to award them with a certificate of appreciation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They still award them for dressage.

The Guardian - Opinion

Oh, and award them for their fantastic, life-changing work.

The Guardian

But to award them literary status as well is risky.

The New York Times - Books

Some markets try to attract customers by paying investment firms to award them their orders.

The Economist

Their tax treatment is still unclear, so few companies have as yet decided to award them.

The Economist

The couple have appealed to Camelot to award them the money, despite the mistake.

Independent

The City of Seattle should award them commendations for grace under fire".

The New York Times

But the jury was deadlocked over how much money to award them in damages.

The New York Times

"No question, it had been a mistake to award them the contract.

The New York Times

Why not award them in proportion to the candidates' popular-vote fractions?

The New Yorker

But having made the decision to provide such subsidies, it must award them based on neutral criteria.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "award them", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being awarded (e.g., a prize, contract, recognition).

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what is being awarded after "award them". For example, instead of saying "The organization decided to award them", specify "The organization decided to award them scholarships".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "award them" functions as a transitive verb phrase, where "award" is the verb and "them" is the direct object. It describes the act of conferring something upon a group. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "award them" is a grammatically correct and frequently used transitive verb phrase that means to bestow something upon a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and employed in various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and scientific writing. The phrase carries a neutral to professional tone and its primary function is to recognize merit or achievement. When using "award them", it's important to explicitly state what is being awarded to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases include "grant them" and "bestow upon them", which offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grant them

A more general term for giving or bestowing something.

bestow upon them

Uses a more formal verb to indicate granting something, changing the register.

confer upon them

Similar to "bestow", this suggests a formal or ceremonial granting.

reward them

Emphasizes the incentive aspect of giving something in return for good behavior or performance.

give them recognition

Focuses on the act of acknowledging merit, rather than a tangible award.

present them with

Emphasizes the act of handing over an award or honor.

honor them with

Focuses on showing respect and admiration through an award.

recognize them with

Highlights the acknowledgment aspect of giving an award.

give them

A simpler and more general alternative, lacking the specific connotation of an award.

decorate them with

Implies the giving of medals or similar decorations as a form of honor.

FAQs

How do you use "award them" in a sentence?

You can use "award them" in a sentence to describe the act of bestowing something upon a group of people, such as "The judges decided to award them the first prize".

What can I say instead of "award them"?

You can use alternatives like "grant them", "bestow upon them", or "give them" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "award to them"?

While grammatically understandable, "award to them" is less common and less idiomatic than "award them". "Award them" is generally preferred for its directness and clarity.

What's the difference between "reward them" and "award them"?

"Reward them" implies giving something in return for good behavior or effort, while "award them" suggests a more formal recognition of achievement or merit. For example, you might "reward them" with extra playtime for good behavior, but "award them" a trophy for winning a competition.