devote to the cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devote to the cause" is not correct in English.
It should be "devote oneself to the cause" or "devote time to the cause." You can use it when expressing commitment or dedication to a particular cause or purpose. Example: "Many volunteers devote themselves to the cause of environmental conservation, working tirelessly to protect our planet."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Figure out which skills and resources you can devote to the cause, and how much time you want to dedicate.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

As for his own role, he says: "The kids are truly devoted to the cause.

The Economist

That might have happened if I were not devoted to the cause of moderation".

The New Yorker

In America, clubs devoted to the cause "Let's Keep Holmes Alive" were formed.

The New Yorker

Indeed, many of his energies were devoted to the cause of the Socialist Workers Party, a Trotskyite outfit.

The Economist

Malcolm X argues that his talent should be unequivocally devoted to the cause of black freedom.

The Guardian

He portrays himself as an idealist, devoted to the cause of international brotherhood, even as Europe collapses around him.

The New Yorker

That of the lighting designer Jennifer Tipton tells of a dancer devoted to the cause whose appearance in the very first performance at Judson remains fixed in memory.

The New York Times - Arts

But devoted to the cause of the Happy Tourist, that evening Nabil drove me to the camp built by the brothers inside the nature reserve.

The Guardian - Travel

WITH more than three decades of intensive engineering efforts devoted to the cause, automakers have depleted the store of cheap and easy solutions to improving fuel economy.

The New York Times

He was elected to the National Assembly of 1848 as a liberal and was philosophically devoted to the cause of freedom of speech, worship, and thought.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing dedication, use the phrase "dedicate oneself to the cause" or "commit to the cause" for grammatical accuracy. Ensure that you are using the correct reflexive form.

Common error

Avoid using "devote to the cause" without a reflexive pronoun (oneself) or a direct object (resources, time). The correct usage is "devote oneself to the cause" or "devote time/resources to the cause".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devote to the cause" functions as part of a verbal phrase, typically intended to express dedication or commitment towards a specific objective or belief. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically incorrect without the addition of a reflexive pronoun or a direct object.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

21%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devote to the cause" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, it requires either a reflexive pronoun (e.g., "devote oneself to the cause") or a direct object (e.g., "devote time/resources to the cause") to be grammatically sound. While the intent is clear—to express dedication or commitment—it's best to use more accurate alternatives like "dedicate oneself to the cause" or "commit to the cause". News & Media and Encyclopedias are the most common sources where this phrase appears, even if its use is often flawed. Therefore, be mindful of grammatical correctness and opt for the recommended alternatives to convey your message effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dedicate oneself to the cause

This alternative emphasizes personal commitment and is a grammatically correct substitute.

be dedicated to the cause

Similar to "be committed", but emphasizes a strong sense of purpose.

commit to the cause

This is a more concise and direct way of expressing dedication.

be committed to the cause

Expresses a state of being dedicated and loyal.

apply oneself to the cause

Highlights the active effort and application of skills and energy.

dedicate resources to the cause

This focuses on allocating specific resources rather than personal dedication.

give oneself to the cause

Emphasizes a complete and selfless dedication.

devote resources to the cause

Focuses on resource allocation but it keeps the incorrect usage of "devote".

allocate resources to the cause

Specifically refers to the strategic distribution of resources.

invest in the cause

This implies a contribution with the expectation of a return or positive outcome.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the word "devote" in a sentence?

You can use "devote" correctly by including a reflexive pronoun like in "devote oneself to the cause" or by specifying what you are devoting, such as in "devote time to the cause" or "devote resources to the cause".

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "devote to the cause"?

Grammatically correct alternatives include "dedicate oneself to the cause", "commit to the cause", or "devote time to the cause".

Is there a difference in meaning between "dedicate oneself to the cause" and "commit to the cause"?

While both phrases express dedication, "dedicate oneself to the cause" often implies a more profound and long-term commitment than "commit to the cause", which can suggest a more general level of involvement.

Can I use "devote to the cause" when talking about donating money?

While "devote" isn't typically used with money, you can say "donate to the cause" or "contribute to the cause" when giving funds. Alternatively, you could say "devote funds to the cause".