devote

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'devote' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express someone's dedication to an activity or cause. For example: "She devoted her life to helping the less fortunate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Willke quit delivering babies in the late 1960s to oppose abortion, retiring from his medical practice in 1988 to fully devote his time to the anti-abortion movement.

The Guardian

And that's what gives me the hunger and drive to every day devote my life to the job".

The Guardian - Sport

This is a principle that carries over to this month - however you will also devote a lot of time to technique.

The Guardian - Sport

Lowles said it was vital that the government, police and security services began to devote the same level of resources as to other extremist threats.

The Guardian

They construct a labyrinth of falsehoods from which it is almost impossible to emerge without the help of people who devote their lives to navigating it.

The Guardian - Opinion

She said she hoped that other Christians would feel less intimidated after her experience – "I devote myself to them," she said.

The Guardian

With the help of Henning Kristiansen's atmospheric cinematography, in a range of muted primary colours, Axel captures the bleak Jutland peninsula of the 1870s, where live two unmarried sisters (Bodil Kjer, Birgitte Federspiel), daughters of the former pastor, and founder of an austere religious sect, who devote themselves to keeping alive his memory and his teachings in the tiny remote community.

The Guardian - Film

In an interview with RIA Novosti, he said Azerbaijan had shown a pattern of provocative behaviour to try and get the international community to devote more attention to the conflict.

The Guardian

Most African countries have fallen far short of a 2000 pledge, known as the Abuja declaration, to devote 15% of their budgets to healthcare.

The Guardian

He is a cradle Catholic, she a convert and they plan to have a big family, starting here, and to devote their lives to each other, to their children and to all their future patients.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He has wanted for years to quit the party leadership and devote his remaining active years - he is 64 - to his family, and to his abiding passion for international affairs.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devote" when you want to convey a sense of importance and long-term commitment. This can add weight to your statements.

Common error

Avoid using "devote" when a lighter level of commitment is intended. Using it in trivial contexts can make your writing sound exaggerated or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "devote" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being dedicated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable for expressing dedication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devote" functions as a transitive verb used to express a deliberate and significant commitment of resources, time, or effort to a specific cause or activity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, though it tends towards a more formal tone, particularly in writing. While alternatives like "dedicate" and "commit" exist, "devote" emphasizes a sustained and earnest dedication. Remember to always clearly define the object of dedication to avoid ambiguity. It's a very common verb, widely used in different contexts and types of publication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dedicate

Similar in meaning, but often implies a more formal or ceremonial commitment.

commit

Suggests a firm decision to allocate resources or energy to a task or goal.

dedicate oneself to

Emphasizes the personal investment and commitment to a cause or activity.

give time to

Focuses on the allocation of time as a resource.

allocate resources to

Highlights the strategic distribution of resources.

apply oneself to

Indicates a concentrated effort and focus on a specific task.

invest in

Implies a long-term commitment with the expectation of future returns.

plow into

Signifies energetic or intense dedication, often with less emphasis on planning.

set aside time for

Highlights the act of reserving time for a particular purpose.

concentrate efforts on

Emphasizes focusing specific actions and energy toward a goal.

FAQs

How do you use "devote" in a sentence?

You can use "devote" to show dedication of time, resources, or oneself to something. For example, "She "devoted her life" to helping the poor" or "He "devoted his time" to studying for the exam".

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

"Devote" and "dedicate" are very similar, but "dedicate" often implies a more formal or ceremonial commitment. You might "dedicate a building", while you might "devote yourself to a cause".

What can I say instead of "devote"?

Alternatives to "devote" include "dedicate", "commit", or "allocate", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "devote to" or "devote for"?

The correct preposition to use with "devote" is "to". "Devote to" is the standard and grammatically correct usage. Avoid using "devote for".