consolidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "consolidate" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used as a verb meaning to combine or connect things into a single, unified or stronger whole. For example: "The two companies consolidated their resources to create a much more powerful entity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is the consolidation phase".There is a lot to consolidate.

The Economist

One of the explicit goals of European enlargement to the east was to consolidate liberal democracies (or, in the case of Romania, complete the transition to liberal democracy in the first place).

The Guardian - Opinion

As president, Putin moved quickly to consolidate his authority over the economy and politics.

The Guardian

To undermine the European Union and to consolidate ties between Moscow and the future possible leader of pro-Kremlin France.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The new Israeli cabinet has shown its commitment to consolidate an apartheid regime in occupied Palestine, as well as to continue its incitement campaign against Palestinians, sending the message that Palestinian lives, history and culture don't matter.

The Guardian

We are a top-10 club and we want to consolidate ourselves in that position, so we want to keep pushing on for the remaining games of the season.

The Guardian - Sport

With the end in sight, Safarova suddenly lost her nerve as she served three double faults, including one on match point, to give Ivanovic a break but the Serb failed to consolidate and Safarova was again one service game away.

The Guardian - Sport

Her challenges are to allow changes to really consolidate in the system and to push forward with thoughtful and pragmatic reform".

The Guardian

Scientists believe the technique works because we consolidate memories by replaying them during sleep and transferring the information from the brain's temporary storage to long-term memory.

The Guardian

Even napping can help consolidate your memories, and maybe even make you more creative.

The Guardian

If you have a number of past pensions at different providers, consolidate them in one place.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "consolidate", consider the specific context. For financial contexts, it might mean merging debts. In political contexts, it often refers to strengthening power or control. Choose synonyms carefully to match the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "consolidate" when a simpler term like "combine" or "join" suffices. "Consolidate" implies a deliberate effort to make something stronger or more efficient, not just a casual aggregation.

Linguistic Context

The verb "consolidate" functions primarily to describe the action of combining multiple entities into a single, more unified whole, or of strengthening something. This is evidenced by Ludwig AI's analysis, which confirms its use in merging and strengthening contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "consolidate" is a versatile verb meaning to combine into a single unit or to strengthen. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely used. It appears most frequently in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific contexts. To ensure correct usage, consider the specific context and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "combine", "unify", and "strengthen" can be used depending on the intended nuance. Remember, "consolidate" often implies a deliberate and strategic effort to improve something's strength or efficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

combine

Focuses on merging or uniting separate entities into a single whole.

unify

Emphasizes the process of bringing different parts together to form a cohesive unit.

merge

Implies a blending of entities, often in a business or organizational context.

strengthen

Highlights the act of making something more robust or resilient.

fortify

Suggests reinforcing or protecting something against potential threats or weaknesses.

solidify

Emphasizes the act of making something firm or stable.

reinforce

Implies adding extra support or strength to something already in place.

cement

Suggests establishing something firmly and permanently.

integrate

Focuses on combining elements so that they function as a whole.

amalgamate

Implies a blending or mixing of different elements into a single mass or entity.

FAQs

How can I use "consolidate" in a sentence?

You can use "consolidate" to describe combining multiple things into one, such as "The company decided to consolidate its debts". It can also mean strengthening something, as in "The leader sought to consolidate his power".

What words can I use instead of "consolidate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "combine", "unify", "strengthen", or "solidify".

Is it correct to say "consolidate on" something?

While you might "consolidate" multiple items or ideas into one, or "consolidate" a position, using "consolidate on" is less common. It's better to use alternative prepositions or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

What is the difference between "consolidate" and "integrate"?

"Consolidate" implies combining or strengthening something, often to make it more efficient or stable. "Integrate", on the other hand, focuses on combining elements so that they function harmoniously as a whole. For example, you might "consolidate" several departments into one, or "integrate" different software systems to work together.