he applied for

USAGE SUMMARY

'he applied for' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone attempting to receive something, such as a job or a loan. For example, "John was unemployed for months until he applied for a job at the local factory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He applied for a Special Immigrant Visa.

The New Yorker

A: He applied for the divorce, yes.

The New Yorker

He applied for residency on 18 August.

Independent

Worried, he applied for N.Y. U

The New York Times

In August, he applied for a mortgage.

The New York Times

He applied for Tory candidature repeatedly.

The Guardian - Sport

He applied for citizenship this year, Mr. Ayad said.

The New York Times

Deciding to become self-employed, he applied for car insurance.

The Guardian - Opinion

He applied for a job at I.B.M. and was hired.

The New York Times

In 2007 he applied for a disability grant.

The Guardian

He applied for one of the specialty's highly competitive residencies.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he applied for", ensure the context clearly indicates what he was applying for. Be specific about the position, grant, or opportunity to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using the wrong preposition after "applied". While "he applied for" is correct, phrases like "he applied to" are used differently, often indicating the recipient organization or institution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he applied for" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a male subject has made a formal request or submission. According to Ludwig, this is a common and correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he applied for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that indicates a male subject made a formal request or submission in order to obtain something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammar rules and is used across various contexts, particularly in "News & Media". While the phrase is versatile, it's important to use it with a clear context, specifying what exactly was applied for. Common errors include incorrect preposition usage, so be mindful to use "for" when indicating the thing being sought. Alternatives such as "he sought", "he requested", and "he filed for" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he filed for

Suggests a formal submission, typically for legal or administrative purposes.

he sought

Replaces 'applied for' with a more general term for seeking something.

he requested

Indicates a formal asking for something, similar to applying.

he registered for

Specifically refers to applying for registration, such as for a course or event.

he auditioned for

Specifically refers to applying for a role in the performing arts.

he put in for

An informal way of saying someone applied.

he enrolled in

Similar to 'registered for' but often used for educational programs.

he tried out for

Informal way of expressing an attempt to get a position on a team.

he bid for

Implies competition to obtain something.

he canvassed for

Means to solicit votes or support.

FAQs

What does "he applied for" mean?

The phrase "he applied for" means that someone has made a formal request or submission in an attempt to obtain something, such as a job, a grant, or admission to a program.

What can I say instead of "he applied for"?

You can use alternatives like "he sought", "he requested", or "he filed for" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "he applied to" instead of "he applied for"?

The phrases have different meanings. "He applied for" is used when referring to the thing being applied for (e.g., a job). "He applied to" is used when referring to the institution or organization to which the application was made (e.g., a university).

How to use "he applied for" in a sentence?

Use "he applied for" followed by the specific thing that was requested. For example, "He applied for a mortgage", "He applied for U.S. citizenship", or "He applied for a city permit".