distil

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "distil" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a verb to mean to purify or refine (a liquid) by vaporizing it and condensing it again, or as a noun to refer to a type of purified liquid, such as distilled water. For example, "The distillery distilled the whiskey to make it smoother."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What Two Days, One Night does so beautifully is distil the economic dilemma of our age down to a human scale.

The Guardian - Film

In a country where alcohol and pigmeat are forbidden, Christians are allowed to distil booze and eat pork.

The Guardian

In other words, we distil the part of an experience that gives us the "buzz".

The Guardian - Tech

This may sound simplistic, but it helped us to distil an identity that lends itself to creating stand out marketing campaigns that are relevant to and understood by our target audience of aspiring young creative talent.

The Guardian

Instead they distil the Palestinian experience of exile into something real.In this section Looking for the exit Yes, we can The power of jaw-jaw Scent of dreams Friends united Placing words Dirty Hoover ReprintsMuch of the book concentrates on Mr Barghouti's efforts to take his Egyptian-born son to Deir Ghassanah, the village of his birth.

The Economist

On other biofuels, for example in the aviation industry, they already are, with America's Boeing partnering with Brazil's Embraer.At present America's corn-ethanol producers distil 14 billion US gallons (53 billion litres) a year enough to provide 10% of America's motoring needs and meet federal rules for renewable-fuel use.

The Economist

"We wanted to make a combination of those things from Berlin," says Mr Guerin, "looking out at the world, rather than looking inward".The Quarterly, in other words, aims to distil the sensibility of the city and use it as an editorial compass to guide its long-form reporting, cultural criticism, interviews, fiction, poetry and photography.

The Economist

A book published last year ("Clausewitz on Strategy", John Wiley) attempts to distil the wisdom and logic of "On War" and to rescue its author from the reputation of being "a cold and callous prophet of total, unconditional war".

The Economist

Modern electronic systems distil the arches, loops and whorls of conventional fingerprints into a numerical code.

The Economist

The result is an eclectic, catholic style that, its editors believe, does its best to distil excellence from cultural chaos.Subscribers would appear to agree.

The Economist

It may indeed be energy-efficient to distil ethanol in eastern Minnesota, which has lots of rain and is home to the nation's cheapest corn.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "distil" in your writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a physical process (like distilling alcohol) or a more abstract process (like distilling information). Using specific examples or clarifying phrases can help prevent misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "distil" too frequently in abstract or metaphorical contexts, as it can make your writing sound overly formal or pretentious. Instead, consider using simpler synonyms like "summarize" or "extract" to maintain clarity and readability.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "distil" is as a verb. It describes the action of extracting the essential meaning or most important aspects from something. Ludwig AI validates this usage through numerous examples showcasing its application in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "distil" is a versatile verb that signifies extracting the essence of something, whether in a literal or abstract sense. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media, formal business, and scientific contexts. While "distil" can enhance writing by conveying a sense of refinement, overusing it can make your text sound overly formal. Consider alternatives like "extract", "condense", or "summarize" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. By understanding its function, purpose, and common errors, you can effectively incorporate "distil" into your writing for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extract

Focuses on removing a substance or essence from something, similar to isolating a key component.

condense

Implies reducing the volume or size of something, often while retaining its essential qualities.

purify

Highlights the removal of impurities to create a cleaner or more refined substance.

refine

Suggests improving or perfecting something through a process of careful adjustment.

concentrate

Emphasizes increasing the strength or density of a substance or idea.

summarize

Involves creating a concise overview of a larger body of information.

abstract

Focuses on extracting general concepts or ideas from specific examples.

boil down

Suggests reducing something to its most basic or essential elements.

reduce

Implies lessening or diminishing something in size, amount, or intensity.

essence

This refers to the most important element of something.

FAQs

How can I use "distil" in a sentence?

You can use "distil" to describe the process of extracting the essence of something, like "The author managed to "distil" complex emotions into a single scene."

What's the difference between "distil" and "summarize"?

"Distil" implies extracting the most important elements, often with a sense of refinement or purification, while "summarize" simply means to provide a brief overview. You "distil" the essence, but you "summarize" the details.

Which is correct: "distil information" or "extract information"?

Both ""distil" information" and "extract information" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Distil information" suggests refining and purifying the information to its most essential elements, while "extract information" simply means to obtain the information from a source.

What are some alternatives to using "distil" in writing?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "extract", "condense", or "refine" to convey a similar meaning.