graduate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "graduate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of completing a degree or program of study, or as a noun to describe someone who has completed such a program. Example: "After four years of hard work, I am proud to say that I will graduate next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was a former advertising agency "suit", an Oxford history graduate recruited in the 50s when London establishment ad agencies recruited those kinds of people.

The Guardian

So when Brenda and Anisha, her friend and fellow commerce graduate, dressed in university robes, emerged from behind the tent accompanied by Loyce and her sister, Betty, they were received with prolonged ululations and delighted faces.

The Guardian

Tom Corfield, a Bristol engineering graduate, recalls: "My lectures were often a bit dry and I have lots of broader interests, so I started going to my friends' lectures in different subject areas.

The Guardian

As a recent University College London study showed, the average profile of a recent migrant is more likely to be a young graduate from western or eastern Europe working in the financial, tech or creative services than our more traditional image of an unskilled migrant labourer.

The Guardian

Natasha Slee, a fashion journalism graduate from the University of the Arts London who lived in a privately rented flat for two years of her degree, says: "We had silverfish in the carpets around the bathroom.

The Guardian

The 31-year-old Cambridge graduate, who was due to marry last month, was stabbed through the heart.

The Guardian

In recent years councils have shared a graduate in order to widen access to smaller districts which may be unable to afford one on their own.

The Guardian

Cable believes the coalition, after some false starts, has landed on a defensible policy that amounts to a graduate contribution based on the ability to pay.

The Guardian

I had literally just graduated and went straight into a graduate role in a local renewables company.

The Guardian

As thousands of bloggers and columnists who have written about her style point out, she is an Oxford graduate, fluent in English, French and Arabic, and a human rights barrister.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She also highlighted the gap in skills and training between those with a care certificate and a graduate nurse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context; "graduate" can refer to high school or university completion, so ensure it's clear which level is intended.

Common error

Avoid using "graduate at" or "graduate on". The correct prepositions are "from" (to specify the institution) or "in" (to specify the field of study).

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "graduate" is to denote the completion of an educational program or to describe an individual who has successfully completed such a program. Ludwig AI confirms its use as a noun, verb, and adjective, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "graduate" is widely used and grammatically sound, as verified by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun, verb, and adjective, signifying the completion of an educational program. Common contexts include News & Media, Formal & Business, and Academia, with a neutral formality level. To avoid errors, ensure correct preposition usage (e.g., "graduate from") and specify the institution or field of study for clarity. Consider alternatives like "alumnus" or "degree holder" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earn a degree

Focuses on the achievement of receiving an academic qualification.

degree holder

Focuses specifically on the possession of an academic degree.

alumnus

Specifically refers to a former student of a school, college, or university.

completer

Highlights the action of finishing a course or program.

complete training

Highlights the conclusion of a specific training program.

pass out

Informal term, common in some regions, for completing education.

finish school

A general term for the conclusion of one's education.

finish studies

Emphasizes the conclusion of a period of academic learning.

move up

Indicates advancement to a higher level or stage, often in a professional context.

level up

Similar to 'move up', but often used in more informal or gaming-related contexts.

FAQs

How to use "graduate" in a sentence?

You can use "graduate" as a noun, verb, or adjective. As a verb: "I will graduate next year." As a noun: "He is a recent graduate." As an adjective: "graduate studies".

What can I say instead of "graduate"?

Alternatives include "alumnus", "degree holder", or "completer", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "graduate college" or "graduate from college"?

"Graduate from college" is generally preferred and more grammatically correct. "Graduate college" can be used, but it's less common and might be seen as less formal.

What's the difference between "graduate" and "postgraduate"?

"Graduate" refers to someone who has completed a degree, while "postgraduate" refers to someone pursuing studies after their first degree.