initiate to

USAGE SUMMARY

'initiate to' is not a correct phrase in written English.
Instead, use the phrase 'initiate' by itself. For example, "We have decided to initiate a new project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

I'm a new initiate to Coldfront's "Poets off Poetry" section, where the Myles lives, and I like it.

The New Yorker

If you are looking for any dietary or physical action that you can initiate to prevent retinal detachment, then I'm afraid I haven't an answer for you.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At this hangout Snoop fibs to her, is called out, and the missus huffs off, leaving him to commiserate with David Beckham, the soccer star and newest initiate to his posse.

The New York Times - Arts

Three weeks early, we broke out the gin punch -- well, straight vodka -- and warmed ourselves in front of the VCR with my girlfriend, a relatively new initiate to the ritual.

The New York Times - Style

In other religions, such as Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism, an initiate to a special holy (often monastic) community within the larger religious community is designated by a change in name and wearing apparel, denoting his special relation to the sacred.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She longs to feel driven, to initiate, to ignite, Brotto said, and lately the woman visited an annual sex fair in Vancouver, with its booths of erotic books and lingerie, and gave a party at her home where a saleswoman peddled sex toys; she told Brotto she hoped that such adventures, along with Brotto's help, would transform her.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

International action must be initiated to correct this.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A process has been initiated to explore the sale of these assets to identified parties".

The Guardian

Meetings were called, conferences convened; a campaign was initiated to boycott the young artist's exhibitions.

The New York Times - Arts

Internal measures have been initiated to prevent similar incidents in the future".

The New York Times

Compression was initiated to allow the solvent evaporation.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "initiate to". The correct form is simply "initiate" followed by the object of the action. For example, instead of "initiate to make changes", write "initiate changes".

Common error

A common mistake is adding the preposition "to" after "initiate". This is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. Always use "initiate" directly followed by the noun it acts upon.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initiate to" functions incorrectly as it attempts to combine a transitive verb with an unnecessary preposition. "Initiate" is a transitive verb and should be followed directly by its object. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase violates standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "initiate to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is simply "initiate", followed directly by the object of the action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the addition of "to" is an error. Instead of saying "initiate to a project", the correct form is "initiate a project". While the intention behind using "initiate to" may be to express the commencement of something, it's crucial to avoid this construction and stick to the grammatically sound form of "initiate". Using similar terms like "begin", "start", or "commence" can also provide clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Initiate

Removes the preposition "to", correcting the grammatical error, and focusing on starting an action.

Begin

Offers a simpler synonym for starting an action, replacing the more formal "initiate".

Commence

Provides a more formal synonym for "begin", similar in register to "initiate" but without the grammatical error.

Start

Presents a basic and widely understood alternative for beginning an action.

Launch

Suggests a more forceful beginning, often used for projects or campaigns.

Undertake

Emphasizes the commitment to start and carry out a task or project.

Set in motion

Highlights the action of starting a process or series of events.

Trigger

Implies initiating something that causes a reaction or a chain of events.

Instigate

Suggests initiating something, often with a negative connotation, like a conflict or investigation.

Embark on

Implies starting a journey or a new and challenging endeavor.

FAQs

Is "initiate to" grammatically correct?

No, "initiate to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is to use "initiate" without the preposition "to". For example, "initiate a project" is correct.

What is the correct way to use "initiate" in a sentence?

Use "initiate" directly followed by the object of the action. For example, "We will "initiate the process"" is correct, while "We will initiate to the process" is not.

What can I use instead of "initiate to"?

Since "initiate to" is incorrect, use alternatives like "begin", "start", or "commence", depending on the desired level of formality.

How does the meaning change when using "initiate" instead of "initiate to"?

Using "initiate" correctly eliminates a grammatical error. The meaning remains the same, but the sentence becomes grammatically sound. Consider replacing "initiate to" with simply "initiate".