mobilize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mobilize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of organizing or preparing a group of people or resources for a specific purpose, often in a context of action or response. Example: "The organization aims to mobilize volunteers for the upcoming community service event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Fight for $15 organizers have screened the movie to groups of workers and students to help mobilize them for the 15 April protests and strikes, according to Lears.

The Guardian - Business

State level school administrators are the most aware of the nuances of their students and are the most appropriate people to mobilize resources to meet their needs.

The Economist

Co-sponsored by the Rock the Vote Action Fund and the Recording Industry Association of America, the concert is intended to help mobilize young voters to be active in the November elections, organizers say.One of the hottest events on tap is the Creative Coalition's "Seconding the First" party featuring rockers the Red Hot Chili Peppers at the Louis Boston clothing store Wednesday night.

The Economist

Two questions demand our attention here at the midpoint of the summer: Can the shark hunters, who arrive on Wednesday, mobilize in time to save us from the next sharknado, which is forecast for Friday?

The New York Times - Arts

Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any non-existential threats that can mobilize an economy the way we geared up to fight the Axis.I'm not sure about non-existential threats, but if we're willing to include existential ones, climate change sure seems to fit the bill.

The Economist

We could be providing logistical support, setting up a no-fly zone at relatively little cost to us, but we can only do it if we can help mobilize the international community and lead.

The Economist

And if we end up rushing to judgment without hard, effective evidence, then we can find ourselves in the position where we can't mobilize the international community to support what we do.

The New York Times

Managing for once to mobilize a sense of economic grievance and cultural resentment that cut across the traditional class divisions of Scottish politics, the party won more than 30 percent of the Scottish vote and took 11 of the 71 Scottish seats in the British Parliament.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Political parties provide the pool of talent from which candidates are drawn, and they simplify and direct the electoral choice and mobilize the electorate at the registration and election stage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Franco was never a popular ruler and rarely tried to mobilize mass support.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Command systems, on the other hand, are marked by their capacity to mobilize resources and labour in ways far beyond the reach of traditional societies, so that societies with command systems typically boast of large-scale achievements such as the Great Wall of China or the Egyptian pyramids.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mobilize", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being mobilized (e.g., troops, resources, support) and for what purpose. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "mobilize" without specifying what is being mobilized. For example, instead of saying "The company needed to mobilize", specify "The company needed to mobilize its resources to address the crisis".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "mobilize" is as a verb, used to describe the act of preparing and organizing resources, people, or forces for a specific purpose or action. Ludwig's examples showcase it in contexts ranging from military readiness to political activism.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

41%

News & Media

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mobilize" functions as a verb indicating the act of preparing and organizing resources or people for a specific purpose. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its usage spans various contexts, from military operations to social movements, with frequent appearances in encyclopedias and news media. When writing, ensure the object of mobilization is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "rally support" or "muster resources" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rally support

Focuses on gathering backing for a cause or idea.

muster resources

Highlights the act of collecting and preparing resources for use.

muster troops

Specifically refers to gathering soldiers.

marshal resources

Emphasizes the organized arrangement of resources.

bring together

A more general term for uniting people or things.

galvanize action

Highlights the act of spurring action.

activate resources

Focuses on making resources ready for use.

call to action

Implies a direct request or invitation to take action.

set in motion

Describes the process of starting or initiating something.

gear up

Suggests preparing or equipping oneself for an activity.

FAQs

How is "mobilize" typically used in a sentence?

"Mobilize" is used to describe the act of assembling and preparing resources or people for a particular purpose. For example, "The general decided to mobilize the troops" or "The campaign aims to mobilize public support".

What are some alternatives to using "mobilize"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "rally support", "muster resources", or "galvanize action".

Is it correct to say "mobilize for action"?

Yes, it is correct. "Mobilize for action" is commonly used to express preparing or organizing oneself or others to take action. However, specifying what is being mobilized can make the sentence more precise.

What's the difference between "mobilize" and "organize"?

"Mobilize" implies preparing resources or people for a specific purpose or action, often with a sense of urgency or importance. "Organize", on the other hand, refers more broadly to arranging or structuring things in a systematic way. Mobilizing often includes "organize", but not vice versa.