connect

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "connect" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to two or more things being linked together, either in a literal or metaphorical sense. For example, "We need to find a way to connect our two ideas together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Lifestyle

Opinion

Sport

Business

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Andy, via email A Many people try to find free Wi-Fi when out and about, myself included, but public Wi-Fi networks have issues, mostly the inherent insecurity in having a network whereby you don't know the intentions of the connected parties and have no control over who can connect.

The Guardian - Tech

Take the Sierra Railroad – created in 1897 to connect the Central Valley to the Gold Country – which crosses a section of the Sierra Nevada foothills, and the Napa Valley Wine Train, a restored 1915 Pullman train car, through the region's beautiful wine country.

The Guardian - Travel

As director of the charity New Harvest, Datar works to connect and rally those exploring all manner of alternatives to conventional, mass-produced animal products.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I didn't feel I could connect with the people in politics On the Friday night, I sat next to a young woman who campaigned about food poverty.

The Guardian

Spurs fans refer to themselves as 'Yiddos', you see. 15 min: From the left wing, Gareth Bale hoists a cross towards Jermain Defoe, but it's too high for the striker to connect with it.

The Guardian - Sport

This time she does connect cleanly with a slog sweep, but can only pick out Perry in the deep.

The Guardian - Sport

He likes special effects, including Co2 cryogenics "if it's an open stage" and says he wants his audience to "connect with the idea of Fenix rising from fire" through his stage shows.

The Guardian

The US technology companies have similar interests in drones, with Facebook's internet.org initiative working to connect the next billion people to the internet through free or subsidised mobile broadband.

The Guardian - Tech

CarPlay is a more advanced way to connect an iPhone to a car's entertainment and information systems, allowing access to a variety of the smartphone's functions including music, messaging and navigation.

The Guardian - Tech

The OAA aims to develop systems that enable developers to easily add car-specific modes to their apps to "bring the best of Android into the automobile in a safe and seamless way" Microsoft also has a system called Microsoft Sync to connect smartphones to in-car entertainment and the dashboard.

The Guardian - Tech

Or you can build blocks of matching pieces and then connect them, as if you were playing with Legos.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To improve clarity, consider if a more specific term like "link", "join", or "associate" would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "connect" as a generic term for any kind of relationship. Replace it with more descriptive verbs to enhance the impact and precision of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "connect" is as a verb, indicating the act of joining, linking, or establishing a relationship between two or more entities. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Tech

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Opinion

8%

Sport

7%

Business

6%

Travel

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "connect" functions primarily as a verb to denote joining, linking, or establishing a relationship. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct and usable in written English. Appearing frequently in contexts like news, tech, and lifestyle, it conveys diverse relationships across physical, logical, and emotional dimensions. While versatile, opting for more specific alternatives like "link", "join", or "associate" can enhance precision. With abundant examples in Ludwig, "connect" remains a commonly used term while maintaining a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

link

Focuses on establishing a direct link or bond.

join

Emphasizes the act of bringing together or uniting.

establish a connection

More formal way of saying connect

attach

Highlights the physical act of fastening one thing to another.

associate

Implies a mental link or relationship between things.

relate

Highlights the existence of a relationship or similarity.

unite

Suggests a stronger, more cohesive bond than a simple connection.

forge a relationship

Implies effort in building a connection.

plug in

Specifically refers to establishing an electrical or electronic connection.

interface

Focuses on the interaction between two systems or components.

FAQs

How can I use "connect" in a sentence?

You can use "connect" to describe the act of joining things together, establishing a relationship, or linking ideas. For example, "The bridge "connects" the two cities" or "I'm trying to "connect" with people who share my interests".

What are some alternatives to "connect"?

Alternatives to "connect" include "link", "join", "associate", "relate", and "unite depending on the specific context".

Is it better to say "connect with" or "connect to"?

The choice between "connect with" and "connect to" depends on the context. "Connect with" often implies a personal or emotional connection, while "connect to" typically refers to a physical or logical connection. Consider which preposition best fits the relationship you're describing.

What's the difference between "connect" and "relate"?

"Connect" implies a direct link or joining, while "relate" suggests a broader association or similarity. You "connect" two cables, but you might say that two ideas "relate" to each other.