cater for individual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cater for individual" is not entirely correct in standard English; it should be "cater to individuals." You can use it when discussing services or provisions that are tailored to meet the needs of specific people or groups.
Example: "Our program is designed to cater to individuals with diverse learning styles."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Fields 6 and 7 also allow fires and cater for individual groups.

The Guardian - Travel

In the past, it may have been difficult to find a local sports club that could cater for individual needs, but nowadays nearly all sports have options or variations for disabled people and many clubs can accommodate people regardless of physical limitations.

BBC

In the 1970s and 80s a more defined notion of "gayness" was emerging and pubs, bars and clubs opened to cater for individual tastes, such as the dark, testosterone-fuelled Coleherne in Earl's Court, west London and the cathedral of disco, Heaven, in Charing Cross.

BBC

Therefore, medical service providers are faced with management challenges about how to overcome specific properties thereof to cater for individual requirements and needs.

BMC Health Services Research

These results highlight the importance of supervisors feeling adequately resourced and prepared to cater for individual learner needs to ensure learners have a tailored and valuable learning experience.

BMC Medical Education

Thus, an insulin dosing strategy to achieve both goals of reduced blood glucose levels and safety from hypoglycemiashould a) estimate a patient's particular level of response to insulin, b) account for any potential changes in sensitivity to insulin over time, and c) adapt dosing accordingly to cater for individual patients.

BMC Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Thus, Anonymous (2012a) proposed that instruction should be designed to cater for individuals and not for groups of learners.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

On his visit to the forest, the minister is also officially opening the the latest trail, called MinorTaur, which is an intermediate route that can cater for individuals with disabilities.

BBC

Analysis was carried out using a geospatial logit regression model, which catered for individual- and household-level random effects (29).

Global Health Action

Until local schools meet families' needs and cater for each individual child, can you blame people for putting their hand in their pocket?

The Guardian

These include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and dieticians, who work alongside the care teams and help them develop the technical skills needed to cater for each individual.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cater for individual", ensure that the context clearly indicates that you are addressing specific and varying needs, not just general requirements. Using "cater to individuals" is typically more grammatically sound.

Common error

A common mistake is using "cater for" when "cater to" is more appropriate. While "cater for" isn't strictly incorrect, "cater to" is the standard phrasing. Be mindful of this nuance to avoid sounding awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cater for individual" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used to indicate that something is designed or adapted to meet the specific needs of a single person. Despite being acceptable, Ludwig suggests that "cater to individuals" might be a better option.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cater for individual" aims to convey the idea of providing specific services or products tailored to a single person's needs. While understandable, it is less common than "cater to individuals". As Ludwig AI points out, "cater to individuals" is often considered grammatically preferable. The phrase appears across various contexts, including science, news, and formal business settings. When writing, consider that using "cater to individuals" may be a clearer and more widely accepted option. Alternative phrasings such as "accommodate individual needs" or "tailor to individual requirements" can also enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Accommodate individual needs

Emphasizes making adjustments to fit specific requirements, differing slightly in focus from providing or supplying.

Tailor to individual requirements

Highlights customization to match unique specifications.

Address individual concerns

Focuses on directly dealing with specific issues or worries of individuals.

Meet individual preferences

Centers on satisfying personal tastes or choices.

Serve individual needs

A more formal way of saying "cater for individual", it emphasizes the act of providing assistance or resources.

Provide for individual needs

Focuses on supplying necessary resources or support.

Adapt to individual styles

Emphasizes modification to suit different personal approaches or methods.

Personalize for each individual

Focuses on creating a unique experience for every person.

Customize for the individual

Highlights making something specific to an individual's specifications.

Design for individual tastes

Emphasizes creating something that aligns with personal preferences.

FAQs

What does "cater for individual" mean?

The phrase "cater for individual" means to provide services or products specifically designed to meet the needs of a single person. It suggests a personalized or customized approach.

Is it better to say "cater for individual" or "cater to individuals"?

While both can be understood, "cater to individuals" is generally preferred and considered more grammatically standard. "Cater for" can sound slightly awkward to some native English speakers. Alternatives include /s/accommodate+individual+needs or /s/serve+individual+needs.

How can I use "cater for individual" in a sentence?

You might say, "The new software update is designed to "cater for individual" user preferences, allowing for a more personalized experience." However, "cater to individuals" would be more common.

What are some alternatives to "cater for individual"?

Alternatives include /s/accommodate+individual+needs, /s/tailor+to+individual+requirements, or /s/meet+individual+preferences. The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.