don a uniform

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "don a uniform" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate the process of putting on a uniform. For example, "The soldiers dons a uniform before reporting for duty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Should make for a fun Sunday at Candlestick Park, where neither man will don a uniform.

The New York Times

They are athletes, after all, and most at home when they don a uniform and work up a sweat.

The New York Times - Sports

Why, for example, do almost all the characters avail themselves of the opportunity to don a uniform?

The New Yorker

Re "Straight Down the Middle, the Long Way," Feb 22: Justine Siegal was not the first woman to don a uniform in the major leagues.

The New York Times

Thus began the education of a corporate executive in the American military's claim on American workers -- specifically, 1.3 million reservists who hold jobs in every conceivable occupation but must be ready to don a uniform at a moment's notice.

The New York Times

By insisting on complete equality as a bedrock principle, these rebels and dissenters helped policy makers and citizens throughout the Union see African-Americans in the terms Morris had long dreamed of: not just as men willing to don a uniform, but as fellow citizens, cognizant of their rights and determined to secure them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But imagine him bringing the same management style into government at wartime, and you can picture his boardroom table of underlings nodding in agreement at the idea of donning a uniform for a premature victory jig on an aircraft carrier.

The New York Times

But Vahik Pirhamzei's Armenian title character, adapted from his stage routines, turns out to be a sweet and often funny creation: a well-meaning, lumbering family man from the old country who dispenses advice and proudly dons a uniform to serve coffee at his daughter's shop.

The New York Times

But there were certain things I would not put up with, like donning a uniform more revealing than a bathing suit, working all day in heels and submitting to the body scrutiny that in more recent years has become official policy at one casino, the Borgata, whose so-called Babes must maintain their hiring weight or risk being fired.

The New York Times - Magazine

Donning a uniform, he served passengers on an Air Asia charity flight from Perth to Kuala Lumpur.

BBC

In a cookie cutter world, fashion becomes a pick-and-choose undertaking, helping individuals carve out an identity or identify with a "tribe" by donning a uniform, such as Prada's Miu Miu line for the hipster crowd, or Lauren classics for the country club set.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "don a uniform" when you want to emphasize the act of putting on a uniform, especially in contexts where it signifies a change in role or status.

Common error

Ensure you're using "don", meaning to put on, and not "done", which indicates completion. The phrase "don a uniform" refers to the action of wearing it, not the state of being finished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "don a uniform" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of putting on a uniform, typically to signify a change in role or status, as exemplified in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "don a uniform" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to describe the act of putting on a uniform, often to signify a new role or duty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for general use, particularly in news and media contexts. Remember to use "don" correctly to avoid confusion with "done". Alternatives such as "put on a uniform" or "wear a uniform" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put on a uniform

Focuses on the physical action of wearing the uniform.

wear a uniform

Highlights the state of being clothed in a uniform.

get into uniform

Implies preparing to wear the uniform, possibly with a sense of readiness.

slip into a uniform

Suggests quickly or easily putting on the uniform.

get dressed in a uniform

Similar to 'dress in a uniform' but slightly more conversational.

dress in a uniform

Emphasizes the act of dressing in the specified attire.

outfit oneself in a uniform

Highlights the act of equipping oneself with the uniform.

attire oneself in a uniform

A more formal and elaborate way of expressing the same idea.

sport a uniform

Focuses on wearing a uniform with pride.

assume a uniform

Focuses on adopting the visual identity associated with the role.

FAQs

What does "don a uniform" mean?

The phrase "don a uniform" means to put on a uniform. It's often used in contexts where wearing the uniform signifies a specific role, duty, or affiliation.

How can I use "don a uniform" in a sentence?

You can use "don a uniform" to describe the action of putting on a uniform, such as "Before reporting for duty, the officer had to don a uniform".

What are some alternatives to "don a uniform"?

Alternatives include phrases like "put on a uniform", "wear a uniform", or "get into uniform", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to say "don on a uniform"?

No, the correct phrasing is "don a uniform". The verb "don" already implies the action of putting on, so using "on" is redundant.