catalyst

USAGE SUMMARY

"catalyst" is a correct and usable word in written English.
A catalyst is something that causes or speeds up a change or reaction, so it can be used in a variety of contexts to describe something that has that effect. For example, "The new technology acted as a catalyst for change in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I really appreciate the importance of diversity as a catalyst for creation and innovation.

The New York Times

"We are doing everything in our power to improve the welfare of migrant workers and to use the hosting of the 2022 Fifa World Cup as a catalyst for positive social change," the organisation said.

The Guardian

Some composers use text simply as the catalyst for composition, but most take care to make text comprehensible.

The Guardian

… in a special 12 months for Fifa.com: a report on Sepp Blatter's keynote speech at Fifa's Congress in June – an address listened to by 750 Fifa delegates all wearing free luxury watches: "Football as a catalyst for social change: no football without ethics and integrity".

The Guardian - Sport

Words are the catalyst for action, and in positions of power we must employ them conscientiously.

The Guardian - Opinion

All profits made from the show, which is a registered charity, will be used to fund the project's education and community development initiatives, with a view to being a catalyst for social and economic regeneration in the region.

The Guardian - Travel

I know there were a number of employees at Catalyst who expressed dismay at the tragic irony of praising a corporation that sells technology to some of the worst abusers of women in the world, such as Saudi Arabia.

The Guardian - Opinion

And the relatively young governments in Rome and Madrid, committed to root-and-branch reform of sickly economies but bridling at the depth and the speed of the changes demanded by Berlin and Brussels, will be grateful if a President Hollande represents a catalyst and succeeds in negotiating a relaxation of austerity with Merkel.

The Guardian

Ultimately, the final catalyst for my decision – which involved Cox Communications, rather than Comcast – wasn't only financial.

The Guardian - Money

My central point – which has been gleefully misconstrued as "pro-censorship" ever since – was that what we say affects the world we live in, that words are both a reflection of and a catalyst for the way our society operates.

The Guardian

"The Apple Watch is the catalyst to ignite the global smartwatch market," said Neil Mawston of research firm Strategy Analytics, which is predicting that Apple will ship 15.4m Apple Watches by the end of 2015.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "catalyst" when you want to emphasize that something is directly responsible for initiating or accelerating a particular outcome or process.

Common error

Avoid using "catalyst" when the factor you're describing is merely a contributing element and not the primary driver of change. Instead, consider using terms like "contributor" or "factor".

Linguistic Context

The word "catalyst" functions primarily as a noun, referring to something that initiates or accelerates a process or reaction. Ludwig, based on example usages, confirms its role in identifying agents of change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "catalyst" is a commonly used noun that signifies something that initiates or accelerates a process. Ludwig AI confirms that it adheres to standard grammatical rules. Its usage spans various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science, indicating a neutral to formal register. When considering alternatives, options like "driving force" or "stimulus" can be appropriate depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using "catalyst", it's best to ensure it directly relates to something responsible for initiating change and not a mere contributing element.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accelerating factor

Highlights the speeding up of a process.

stimulus for change

Highlights the role of provoking or encouraging transformation.

triggering factor

Focuses on the aspect of setting off a chain of events.

promoter of change

Emphasizes the advocacy and encouragement aspect.

driving force

Emphasizes the energy and power behind the initiation of change.

facilitating agent

Focuses on smoothing the way for a process or change.

impetus for action

Stresses the element of motivation and prompting movement.

prime mover

Suggests the main agent responsible for initiating an action.

spark that ignites

Uses a metaphor to represent the beginning of something significant.

key enabler

Highlights the role of making something possible.

FAQs

How can "catalyst" be used in a sentence?

You can use "catalyst" to describe something that initiates a change. For example, "The economic crisis served as a "catalyst" for political reform."

What words can I use instead of "catalyst"?

Alternatives include "stimulus", "trigger", or "driving force", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a catalyst for change"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. "Catalyst" is frequently used with "for change" to indicate something that causes or accelerates a transformation.

What is the difference between "catalyst" and "factor"?

"Catalyst" implies a direct and significant role in initiating change, whereas "factor" is a more general term that simply indicates something that contributes to an outcome. A "catalyst" actively speeds up or starts a process, while a factor may only have a passive influence.