dedicate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "dedicate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a person has devoted time or effort to a particular task, or that something has been dedicated to a specific purpose. For example, "He dedicated two years of his life to helping the homeless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kerry conceded that pressing foreign policy crises in Ukraine and Syria, as well as ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran, made it difficult to dedicate resources to a peace process which has failed make significant progress.

The Guardian

I then shortly after went into a contract role so I was able to dedicate more of my time to the business.

The Guardian

When Countdown was recommissioned after a year, it became feasible - just about - to dedicate myself to it.

The Guardian

People have the power, when we choose to use it, to act on it, to dedicate ourselves to change.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's a whole host of other Pillars of Society, too: community workers; activists who dedicate their lives to fighting racism, sexism and homophobia; trade union reps who fight the corner of workers in the workplace; those who fight for the sick and disabled; volunteers and charity workers; and those who show great bravery or commit great sacrifices for others.

The Guardian - Opinion

But increased expectations on staff make it difficult to dedicate lots of time to students.

The Guardian

If it's to dedicate more time to your baby, that's great, but if it's because you fear people's opinions then I would worry a bit for you that you are going into this too wary, too worried about what people will think of you.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What can and should be done when caucus colleagues dedicate themselves to destabilising others and bringing the party in to disrepute?

The Guardian

When the bullet trains start running, coal diggers in the area expect a boom; the plan is to dedicate the old line to freight, which should make transporting coal much cheaper.

The Economist

Once the bullet trains are running, the plan is to dedicate the old line to freight.

The Economist

Now that Ms Whitman no longer has to fret about the stagnant PC business, she can dedicate her full attention to plotting the enterprise company's next big move.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dedicate", ensure the context clearly specifies what is being dedicated and to what purpose. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "dedicate" when a weaker term like "contribute" or "assist" would be more appropriate. "Dedicate" implies a significant commitment, and overuse can dilute its meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dedicate" is as a transitive verb. It typically describes the act of setting something apart for a specific purpose, cause, or person. Ludwig AI's examples confirm this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "dedicate" is a versatile verb used to express the act of committing something, whether it be time, resources, or effort, to a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. With a neutral to formal register, "dedicate" frequently appears in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific publications. Understanding the nuances of "dedicate" and its synonyms, like "devote" or "commit", ensures its effective use in various writing scenarios. When using "dedicate", ensure the context clearly specifies what is being dedicated and to what purpose. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devote

Similar in meaning, but implies a more complete commitment of time or resources.

commit

Emphasizes a firm decision to pursue a particular course of action.

apply oneself to

Emphasizes the personal effort and focus directed towards a particular task.

allocate

Focuses on the distribution of resources to a specific purpose.

invest in

Highlights the resource allocation but focuses more on future benefits of that dedication.

set aside

Highlights the act of reserving something for a specific use.

give over to

Emphasizes relinquishing control or use to a particular purpose.

consecrate

Suggests setting something apart as sacred or devoted to a religious purpose.

assign

Implies giving a task or responsibility to someone or something.

plow into

Emphasizes the energy, time or money spent to get to something. Often used for passioned things.

FAQs

How is "dedicate" typically used in a sentence?

The word "dedicate" is often used to describe committing time, resources, or oneself to a specific purpose or cause. For example, "She decided to "dedicate her life" to environmental conservation".

What are some alternatives to using "dedicate" in my writing?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "devote", "commit", or "allocate" to express a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "dedicate" and "devote"?

"Dedicate" often implies setting something aside for a specific purpose, while "devote" suggests a more complete and passionate commitment. Although they're similar, "devote" often carries a stronger emotional weight.

Is it correct to say "I dedicate this to you"?

Yes, it's correct. This is a common way to express that something, like a song or a book, is being offered or presented as a tribute or honor to someone. It means that you "commit" this work to that person.