merge

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "merge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to describe when two or more things combine together. For example, "The two companies decided to merge and become one business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has set out on a mission to merge the organisations so that they can become a leading provider of health and wellbeing services for all people working in education.

The Guardian

Back in 2008, we predicted that internet culture will merge with pop culture.

The Guardian

Carphone's decision this year to merge with electricals retailer Dixons is thought to have been prompted by growing unrest among its biggest customers – the mobile networks whose connections it sells.

The Guardian - Business

Mike Darcey, the incoming chief executive officer of News International, reinforced the point when he told Times staff on Tuesday afternoon that a merge of the Sunday Times and Times was not on the cards.

The Guardian

We're going to try to close the backdoor search loophole – this is part of the Fisa Act and is going to be increasingly important, because Americans are going to have their emails swept up increasingly as global communications systems begin to merge".

The Guardian

"Someone needs to go broke, or some miners need to merge production because what's happening at the moment is unsustainable.

The Guardian - Business

On his return to Sunderland he decided to merge the various gangs of leather-clad youths ("Coffin-Cheaters," "Satan's-Saints," among others) into one "chapter" - the Black Angels - and appointed himself as their leader.

The Guardian

He added: "We wish to merge the current review with the June agreement".

The Guardian - Business

The more I heard, the more I wished I could merge two important meetings taking place this week – the European Development Days in Brussels and the World Economic Forum WEFF) on Africa in Cape Town.

The Guardian

Ofcom admits that without new powers a shared network across the entire country is improbable, although some companies are already taking voluntarily steps to merge networks.

The Guardian

Vodafone rose 1.9p to 194p as its Indian business added 1.6m mobile subscribers in June But Imperial Tobacco fell 101p to £26.38 as it agreed to pay $7.1bn for various assets from Reynolds and Lorillard, which finally announced their agreement to merge.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about organizational changes, consider using "merge" to clearly convey the idea of combining entities into a single, unified structure.

Common error

While "merge" is appropriate in formal settings, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Simpler terms like "combine" or "join" may be more suitable for informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The word "merge" functions primarily as a verb, indicating the action of combining two or more entities into one. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage as a verb, as exemplified in many sentences provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "merge" is a versatile verb used to describe the combination of two or more entities into one. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and frequently employed in diverse contexts, ranging from business and news to science. Its register is typically neutral, leaning towards formal in professional settings. Common alternatives include "consolidate", "integrate", and "combine", each offering a slightly different nuance. When using "merge", ensure its formality aligns with the context and avoid overuse in casual speech. Top sources like The Guardian and The Economist frequently employ the term, solidifying its place in formal English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consolidate

This alternative emphasizes the strengthening and streamlining aspect of combining elements, often in a business or organizational context.

integrate

Focuses on bringing different parts together into a unified whole, highlighting functionality and interdependence.

amalgamate

Suggests a blending of diverse elements, often resulting in a new, homogeneous entity.

unite

Implies a joining together for a common purpose or goal, emphasizing solidarity and cooperation.

combine

A general term for bringing two or more things together, lacking the specific connotations of other alternatives.

fuse

Suggests a close union, often through heat or pressure, implying an inseparable bond.

blend

Focuses on a smooth and harmonious mixing of elements, often used in contexts like cooking or art.

incorporate

Highlights the inclusion of something as part of a larger whole, emphasizing structure and organization.

coalesce

Implies a gradual coming together of elements, often without external force or intervention.

join

A simple and direct term for connecting two or more things, lacking the complexity of other alternatives.

FAQs

How can I use "merge" in a sentence?

You can use "merge" to describe the act of combining two or more things into a single entity. For example, "The two companies decided to "merge" their operations".

What's the difference between "merge" and "combine"?

"Merge" often implies a more complete integration and transformation, while "combine" can simply mean bringing things together without necessarily creating a new unified entity.

What can I say instead of ""merge"" in a business context?

In a business setting, you can use alternatives such as "consolidate", "integrate", or "amalgamate" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "merge" appropriate for describing traffic?

Yes, "merge" is commonly used to describe traffic patterns, such as when lanes of traffic ""merge"" into a single lane.