bring to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bring to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, often to indicate the act of causing something to come to a particular state or location. Example: "Please bring to my attention any issues you encounter during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To bring to life St.

The New York Times

Cover and bring to the boil.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nor does it bring to an….

The New Yorker

What did the sentences bring to mind?

The New York Times

Increase heat and bring to a boil.

The New York Times - Food

Season well and bring to the boil.

Independent

"What does sociology bring to the table?

The New Yorker

What does Burke bring to the game?

Forbes

"Apps bring to life the operating system.

BBC

What can scientists bring to translation?

Science Magazine

Cover and bring to a gentle simmer.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bring to" to mean 'restore consciousness', ensure the context clearly indicates this specific meaning to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The paramedics used smelling salts to bring to the unconscious patient."

Common error

Avoid using "bring to" when a simpler verb like "take" or "deliver" is more appropriate and clear. Overusing phrasal verbs can sometimes make your writing sound less direct and more convoluted. For example, instead of "bring the book to me", simply say "take the book to me".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "bring to" primarily functions as a verb of causation or restoration. It indicates either causing something to reach a specific state or reviving someone, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig. This is reinforced by Ludwig AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Science & Research

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "bring to" is a versatile expression with multiple meanings, primarily related to causation and restoration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and applicable across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Wiki entries. While generally neutral in register, choosing more direct verbs may sometimes enhance clarity. When writing with "bring to", consider its different senses to avoid ambiguity, and ensure it fits the overall tone and style of your text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restore

Focuses on returning something to a previous condition or state.

revive

Emphasizes bringing something back to life or consciousness.

cause

Highlights the act of making something happen or exist.

result in

Indicates that something leads to a particular outcome or consequence.

contribute to

Suggests that something adds to or helps bring about a particular situation.

lead to

Implies a sequence of events where one thing progresses to another.

draw attention to

Highlights the act of making something noticeable.

call attention to

Similar to draw attention to, but may imply a more deliberate or urgent action.

elicit

Focuses on drawing out a response, answer, or fact from someone.

yield

Emphasizes producing or generating a particular result or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "bring to" in a sentence?

The phrase "bring to" can be used in different contexts. It can mean to restore consciousness, as in "The cold water helped "bring him to"". It can also mean to cause something to reach a certain state, as in "This "brings your total to" twenty dollars".

What are some alternatives to "bring to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "restore", "revive", "cause", or "draw attention to".

Is it correct to use "bring to" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase "bring to" is acceptable in formal writing, but consider whether a more direct verb might be clearer or more concise. In some cases, a single-word verb such as "restore" or "cause" may be preferable.

What's the difference between "bring to" and "refer to"?

"Bring to" implies causing something to be in a certain state or location, or restoring consciousness. "Refer to", on the other hand, means to mention or allude to something. They have different meanings and are not interchangeable.