it applies to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it applies to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is applicable to a certain situation, circumstance, or person. For example: "This policy applies to all employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In its current form, it applies to any existing loan.

The New York Times

In its initial form it applies to plate-fin exchangers.

Proceedings of the 1st Annual Gas Processing Symposium 10–12 January 2009, Doha, Qatar

"It applies to demeanor".

The New York Times

It applies to people.

The Guardian - Opinion

It applies to the EU too.

Independent

It applies to us; it applies to courts; it applies to other constitutional authorities".

The New York Times

"It applies to both parties".

The New York Times

"But it applies to everybody".

The New York Times - Sports

It applies to Hawthorn and Geelong too.

The Guardian - Sport

"It applies to any of us".

The New York Times

It applies to all British produce.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it applies to", ensure that the subject "it" is clearly defined in the preceding context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it applies to" when the referent of "it" is ambiguous or not immediately clear to the reader. Always ensure the subject is explicitly stated or easily inferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it applies to" serves as a linking phrase, connecting a subject (often a rule, concept, or condition) to the entity or situation it affects. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples from Ludwig show this phrase connects policies, laws, or judgments to people, entities, or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it applies to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate relevance or applicability. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is widely accepted and versatile. It is most commonly found in news and media, science and formal business contexts, serving to clarify the scope of rules, laws, or conditions. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "it is relevant to" or "it concerns" can be used depending on the context. Overall, "it applies to" is a reliable and useful phrase for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is relevant to

Emphasizes the relevance or pertinence of something to a particular subject or situation.

it is applicable to

Highlights the ability of something to be applied or used in a specific context.

it concerns

Indicates that something is about or related to a specific topic or group.

it affects

Focuses on the influence or impact something has on something else.

it pertains to

Suggests a direct connection or relationship to a particular subject or matter.

it is connected to

Highlights the link or association between two or more things.

it is associated with

Emphasizes the relationship or correlation between different elements.

it holds true for

Confirms that a statement or principle is valid or applicable in a particular case.

it is valid for

Indicates that something is acceptable or legitimate in a specific context.

it has bearing on

Suggests that something has an influence or effect on a particular situation or decision.

FAQs

How can I use "it applies to" in a sentence?

The phrase "it applies to" is used to show that a rule, law, concept, or situation is relevant or has an effect on someone or something. For example, "This rule "it applies to" all students."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "it applies to"?

You can use alternatives such as "it is relevant to", "it is applicable to", or "it concerns" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it applies for" instead of "it applies to"?

While "applies for" is correct in phrases like "he applies for a job", when you mean that something is relevant to something else, the correct phrasing is ""it applies to"". For example, "This discount applies to students" is correct.

How does the meaning of "it applies to" differ from "it refers to"?

"It applies to" indicates relevance or effect, while "it refers to" indicates a reference or connection. For example, "This law applies to all citizens" means all citizens are subject to it. "This law refers to Article 5" means the law mentions or cites Article 5.