establish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "establish" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of setting up, creating, or founding something, such as an organization, rule, or relationship. Example: "The committee aims to establish new guidelines for the project to ensure clarity and efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Speaking to journalists at the Cannes film festival after the first screening of his film about Irish communist James Gralton, who was victimised by the political and religious establishment after daring to establish a dance hall in rural Ireland, Loach said: "Dissidence and countering the prevailing consciousness is a huge issue".

The Guardian - Film

He added: "Our role is to establish the facts.

The Guardian

Targaryen manages to repeatedly outmanoeuvre and outwit scheming men who dominate the world of Game of Thrones and dismiss the idea that a woman might have the wherewithal to establish an empire.

The Guardian

The vote offered to "alter the constitution to establish the Commonwealth of Australia as a republic with the Queen and governor general being replaced by a president appointed by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Commonwealth parliament", and also included a second question about inserting a preamble in the constitution.

The Guardian

It would be hard to argue that compared to other central and eastern European post-communist countries, united Germany failed to establish justice for victims of the GDR: lustration and purges were comparatively intensive and extensive, without deteriorating into the kind of witch-hunts that Poland experienced a few years back.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Viceroy's House (now the president's residence) was built at an elevation so it would look upon the old fort and establish a symbolic connection.

The Guardian

Now: Walker went on to establish his own public relations consultancy, with clients from the chemical and plastics industries.

The Guardian

Chief among these were the figure of 4 million deaths at Auschwitz (based on contemporary Soviet estimates, but later revised to 1.1m) and the failure to establish that Jews were the central target of Nazi persecution.

The Guardian - Film

Reformers demanded that Abdullah should establish an elected consultative assembly to replace the 120-member appointed Shura council.

The Guardian

We will lead international efforts to ensure global companies pay their fair share in tax" Greens: (p50/51): "Introduce an urgent programme of legislation, starting with a Tax Dodging Bill designed to reduce the tax gap and establish a general anti-avoidance principle.

The Guardian - Tech

It adds (p33/4): "Our aim is to deliver a future-proofed infrastructure that will establish world-class digital connectivity across Scotland by 2020, including tackling the digital divide.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance of "establish" compared to synonyms like "create" or "set up". "Establish" often implies a more formal, lasting, or significant creation.

Common error

Avoid using "establish" when simpler words like "start" or "make" are more appropriate for casual conversations or less formal writing. Using "establish" in these situations can sound overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The verb "establish" primarily functions to denote the act of setting up, creating, or proving something. Ludwig AI confirms that it commonly introduces actions aimed at instituting lasting structures, systems, or validating truths, reflecting its formal usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "establish" functions as a verb primarily used to denote setting up, creating, or proving something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news, business, and scientific contexts. It leans towards a neutral to professional register, suggesting formality and permanence. When writing, ensure the context aligns with the formality implied by "establish", and consider synonyms like "set up" or "found" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set up

Implies a more practical or immediate setup than "establish".

found

Suggests the creation of something that will endure over time; more formal.

institute

Implies introducing a new system, rule, or policy.

form

Describes the act of bringing something into existence; generally less formal.

create

A general term for bringing something new into being.

build

Suggests a gradual process of construction or development.

prove

Focuses on demonstrating the truth of something through evidence.

show

Similar to prove but often less rigorous in demonstration.

demonstrate

Implies clear and convincing evidence or explanation.

lay the foundation

Indicates preparing the groundwork for future development.

FAQs

How can I use "establish" in a sentence?

You can use "establish" to mean to set up or create something, as in "They aimed to "establish a new company"". Alternatively, it can mean to prove something, as in "The investigation sought to "establish the facts"".

What words can I use instead of "establish"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "set up", "found", "institute", or "prove". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

What's the difference between "establish" and "create"?

"Establish" often suggests setting up something formal, organized, and intended to last, while "create" is a more general term for bringing something into existence. For example, you might "establish a business" but "create a work of art".

Is it better to say "establish" or "form" a relationship?

Both "establish" and "form" are correct, but "establish" suggests a more deliberate and formal effort to build a lasting connection, while "form" is more general and can imply a less structured development. You might "establish a professional relationship" but "form a friendship".