corral

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "corral" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to gathering or confining people or things, often in a controlled manner. Example: "The manager decided to corral the team for a quick meeting to discuss the project updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Worried about the flood, which is now just steps from my door, I walk around the corner to find them being used to corral a stream of water into a bubbling drain.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Does it make sense to the corral the press by fresh statutes that prevent them reflecting – or possibly even correcting – what those millions of voters and readers are saying?

The Guardian

As part of the redesigned Reality Check homepage we will be trying to corral blogs on similar subjects into the same place, so I look forward to re-opening this debate soon.

The Guardian

Speaking ahead of a meeting this evening at which the Lib Dem deputy prime minister will seek to corral colleagues behind the proposals, Lady Williams said Lib Dems "have to vote for this policy", though she conceded it had been a "mistake" for Lib Dem MPs, including Clegg, to have signed a pre-election pledge to oppose any increase in fees.

The Guardian

They may have to corral demonstrators off the road along Dorset Street prior to the royal cavalcade reaching the GAA's magnificent stadium on the banks of Dublin's appropriately named Royal Canal.

The Guardian

On the day before voters headed to the polls, he was not pounding the pavement looking for hands to shake and voters to corral; instead, Mr Castro was in his office, looking and sounding relaxed.

The Economist

Mr Sassou-Nguesso's rivals were exiled or bought off with plum posts.In this section Charmed with smiles and soap Defiance from within the corral Numbered days Ninjas, guitars and dodgy democracy ReprintsMr Ntoumi refused to sign the accord, but observed an informal truce.

The Economist

It also threatens to invade if Iraq's Kurds do not oust or corral the 3,000-plus 3,000-plus of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), who hide in the remotest mountains of northern Iraq, where they plan and train for their lethal operations in south-eastern Turkey.The Iraqi Kurds consider the PKK a nuisance, but are unlikely to spill the blood of their ethnic brothers.

The Economist

STREET-WALKERS; kerb-crawlers; phone booths plastered with pictures of breasts and buttocks: the sheer seediness of prostitution is just one reason governments have long sought to outlaw it, or corral it in licensed brothels or "tolerance zones".

The Economist

Smartphones will give dictators unprecedented scope to spy on and corral their unwilling subjects.The naked appYet three benefits weigh against these threats to privacy.

The Economist

Other proposals range from targeting individuals involved in human-rights abuses to making regime change official policy.Blunt instruments like this could shatter Mr Obama's careful efforts to corral foreign allies and show Iranians that America is worried about their regime's nuclear delinquencies, not hostile to Iran itself.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "corral" in a metaphorical sense, ensure the context clearly conveys the act of bringing together or confining, as its literal meaning relates to livestock enclosures.

Common error

Avoid using "corral" when a more neutral term like "gather" or "assemble" is more appropriate, especially in formal or sensitive contexts where the connotation of confinement might be undesirable.

Linguistic Context

The word "corral" functions primarily as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it denotes an enclosure for livestock. As a verb, it means to gather or confine, as also confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "corral" is a versatile term, functioning as both a noun and a verb, with origins in Spanish referring to enclosures for livestock. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies gathering, confining, or managing, whether literally or metaphorically. While grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, it's important to consider the connotations of confinement when selecting "corral" over more neutral alternatives like "gather" or "assemble". Its frequency indicates it's a common term, but careful usage ensures clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

round up

Implies gathering people or animals together, often from a scattered area.

gather together

Focuses on bringing individuals or items into a single place or group.

pen in

Similar to placing livestock in a confined space; suggests restriction.

confine

Emphasizes restricting movement or keeping something within limits.

enclose

Highlights the act of surrounding or containing something within a defined area.

trap

Suggests capturing or ensnaring, often unexpectedly or against someone's will.

muster

Implies assembling or gathering forces, resources, or support.

herd

Focuses on moving a group of animals or people in a particular direction.

marshal

Suggests organizing or arranging elements effectively.

bring together

Simply means to unite in a place or concept, without necessarily limiting freedom.

FAQs

How can I use "corral" in a sentence?

You can use "corral" to describe gathering or confining something, as in "The volunteers helped to "corral the stray animals"" or "The manager tried to "corral ideas from the team" during the brainstorming session."

What can I say instead of "corral"?

You can use alternatives like "round up", "gather together", or "confine" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "corral" metaphorically?

Yes, "corral" can be used metaphorically to describe bringing together or confining ideas, people, or resources, but ensure the context is clear and the connotation of confinement is appropriate.

What is the origin of the word "corral"?

The word "corral" comes from the Spanish word for an enclosure for livestock, reflecting its original meaning related to agriculture and animal husbandry.