consigned to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consigned to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has been assigned or allocated to a particular place, condition, or fate, often with a sense of finality. Example: "After years of neglect, the old building was consigned to ruin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Or be consigned to the care system?

Independent

Egypt looked consigned to sharing the points.

The New York Times

That question is consigned to history".

The New York Times

I'm a philistine, consigned to the corner".

The New Yorker

Larger animals are consigned to the hold.

The New York Times

"It should be consigned to history".

The New York Times

Night-time has been consigned to legend.

The Guardian - Books

Socialism had been consigned to history.

The Guardian - Opinion

Neither team has any players consigned to the naughty step.

The Guardian - Sport

It's the Hummer being consigned to the scrapheap of history.

The New York Times

Certain episodes, Ms Lee writes, were "consigned to silence".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consigned to" when you want to emphasize that something is irrevocably assigned to a specific fate or condition. For example, "The old textbooks were consigned to the library's archives."

Common error

Avoid using "consigned to" for temporary situations or reversible actions. It implies a sense of permanence, so using it in contexts where something can easily be changed or reversed would be inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "consigned to" is a verb phrase acting as part of a predicate, indicating the act of assigning or relegating something or someone to a specific condition, place, or fate. As evidenced by Ludwig, it often carries a sense of inevitability or finality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "consigned to" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something has been assigned or relegated to a specific place, condition, or fate. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability, particularly in news and media, science, and business contexts. While generally neutral to formal in register, understanding its connotations of finality is crucial for accurate and impactful writing. Remember, while "consigned to" is prevalent in formal writing, Ludwig reminds us to consider the context and choose the most appropriate synonym to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relegated to

Indicates a demotion or assignment to a less desirable position or state.

assigned to

Implies a formal allocation or designation to a particular role or location.

allocated to

Suggests a distribution or allotment for a specific purpose or recipient.

relegated into

Similar to 'relegated to' but specifies movement into a certain condition.

banished to

Conveys a sense of forced removal or exile to a specific place or situation.

condemned to

Implies a negative fate or punishment that is unavoidable.

destined for

Suggests a predetermined course or fate that something is inevitably heading towards.

consigned into

Suggests movement into a different state or level.

relegated as

Functions as designating someone or something to a lower position.

doomed to

A fatalistic expression for unavoidable or predetermined negative situations.

FAQs

How is "consigned to" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "consigned to" typically indicates that something or someone has been assigned or relegated to a specific, often undesirable, place, situation, or fate. For example, "The old files were "consigned to" the basement."

What are some alternatives to using "consigned to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "relegated to", "assigned to", or "destined for". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "consigned to" in a formal or informal context?

While "consigned to" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it's generally more common in formal writing or speech due to its slightly elevated tone. In informal settings, simpler alternatives might be preferred.

What is the difference between "consigned to" and "confined to"?

"Consigned to" implies a finality or assignment to a specific fate or place, while "confined to" suggests restriction or limitation within a certain space or boundary. For example, someone might be "consigned to oblivion", but "confined to a wheelchair".