combine

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "combine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of uniting two or more things into one. For example: "The two companies combined their resources to create a more efficient workflow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 2.35pm AEST05:35 Only Bob Katter can combine the Galilee Basin, the abominable snowman and santa claus.

The Guardian

"Now you have the dilemma of how to combine three factors: the state, developers and society.

The Guardian

Basically, it is the accrued value of all pensions that are not state basic retirement or state earning related The ONS then combine the above four categories to calculate household wealth.

The Guardian

The relatively relaxed pace of a Sunday newspaper allowed her to combine a career with a full family life at home – Jane always travelled to London once a week for two days' work.

The Guardian - Arts

Maybe one day we will have open-world games that can combine intelligent non-player characters with their own dark plans and ambitions, with a procedurally generated story-system.

The Guardian - Tech

We need to combine the hard commercial skills which are well-honed by the "usual suspects" with creativity, social responsibility and sheer bloody enthusiasm.

The Guardian

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt and mix well.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even as a world's lonely eyes turn to Zurich, the unstoppable force of the Rumour Mill ploughs on, like a massive nonsense combine harvester, churning up everything in its path and making us all ponder what exactly it is we're doing here.

The Guardian - Sport

5 In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks, then add a quarter of the chocolate mixture and whisk to combine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Future trips planned by the School of Life include one entitled Around the World inside the M25 (exploring London's different ethnic cuisines and attractions) and a Simple Living weekend, which will combine discussions about living austerely with simple pleasures such as walking, baking and cloudspotting.

The Guardian - Travel

"I hope that for the people who visit it might combine a sense of holiday and fun with an idea of pilgrimage.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "combine", ensure that the elements being joined are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what ingredients you are combining or what tasks are being combined.

Common error

Avoid using "combine" in overly simplistic sentences where a more straightforward verb like "add" or "mix" would suffice. Using "combine" in such contexts can sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "combine" is as a transitive verb, indicating the action of bringing two or more things together. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts. It can also function as an intransitive verb, meaning to come together.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

25%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "combine" is a versatile verb indicating the act of bringing two or more things together, as affirmed by Ludwig. It sees very common use across various contexts, from news and media to lifestyle and travel. Grammatically correct and widely accepted, "combine" serves the purpose of expressing union or integration. While generally neutral in register, careful attention to context and avoiding overuse in simple sentences will ensure effective communication. According to Ludwig, understanding the subtle differences between alternatives like "merge", "unite", and "integrate" can further refine your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merge together

Emphasizes the blending aspect of joining, less formal than "combine".

blend

Implies a smooth mixing of elements.

unite

Implies a more formal and unified joining of elements.

mix

A more general term for putting things together.

incorporate

Implies including something as part of a larger whole.

integrate

Suggests a more complex and seamless incorporation of elements.

fuse

Suggests a complete and irreversible joining.

amalgamate

A more formal and less common term for combining.

compound

Suggests a combination that creates something new.

meld

Implies a gradual and harmonious blending.

FAQs

How to use "combine" in a sentence?

You can use "combine" to describe bringing two or more things together. For example, "We need to "combine efforts" to achieve our goals".

What can I say instead of "combine"?

You can use alternatives like "merge", "unite", or "integrate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "combine with" or "combine and"?

"Combine with" is generally preferred when indicating what something is being joined with. "Combine and" is less common and can sound awkward. For example, "Combine the flour with the water" is better than "Combine flour and water".

What's the difference between "combine" and "mix"?

"Combine" implies bringing distinct elements together, while "mix" suggests a more thorough blending. You might "combine ingredients" to start a recipe, then "mix them" thoroughly.