outsource

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outsource" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a business context to refer to the practice of obtaining goods or services from an external source rather than producing them in-house. Example: "To reduce costs, the company decided to outsource its customer service operations to a third-party provider."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The more likely it seems that they won't get a second term, the more eager they are to press on with their project to outsource, shrink and commercialise as much of the state as they can.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was an effort to outsource manufacturing to poorer developed countries to keep costs down and to maintain higher profits.

The Guardian

"What we had last night from the federal government was a flick pass … you cannot outsource your problems to the states … that's not good enough, the people of NSW want to know we will stand up for them and that is exactly what we will do," Baird said.

The Guardian

Two years ago, the University of Sussex followed suit after students occupied a campus building over plans to outsource 235 members of staff MP John McDonnell spoke out at the time against what he saw as a wave of intimidating crackdowns against student protesters.

The Guardian

The council is also seeking to outsource the entire library service – including this library – adding further uncertainty.

The Guardian - Books

Next decide whether you want to do the work in-house or outsource it to an agency.

The Guardian

But while sharing customer information makes sense, payroll and financial information tend to be more jealously guarded, and bosses tend to be reluctant to outsource the storage and processing of it.

The Economist

Perhaps drug firms could cut costs and outsource production and R&D.

The Economist

Mr Mehri has written a book on his experiences, "Notes from Toyota-Land," published by Cornell University Press.Outside inForeign Affairs, May/June 2006"The Globally Integrated Enterprise By Samuel J. PalmisanoTechnology has not only allowed firms to reduce their costs, operate from afar, and outsource work to others it has also allowed companies to combine these trends into something new.

The Economist

It has kept a lot of manufacturing in-house (why outsource to Foxconn when you already pay Chinese wages?).

The Economist

He didn't outsource his thinking to think-tanks; he thought.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the potential impact on internal staff and communicate proactively to manage expectations and address concerns about job security when deciding to "outsource".

Common error

Avoid using "outsource" without specifying the task or process being outsourced. For instance, instead of saying "We will outsource", say "We will "outsource" our customer service operations to a third-party provider."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "outsource" is as a verb, indicating the action of contracting work or services to an external provider. Ludwig indicates that the word is used correctly in all provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "outsource" is a verb commonly used to describe the practice of delegating specific business tasks or functions to an external provider, often to reduce costs or enhance efficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. It is most frequently encountered in news and business contexts. When using the term, clarity is key: always specify what's being outsourced. Alternatives include "contract out", "delegate", and "farm out", each with slightly different nuances. Understanding these alternatives and usage patterns allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contract out

Focuses on the contractual agreement involved in transferring work.

subcontract

Specifically refers to hiring another company to perform part of an existing contract.

delegate

Emphasizes the act of assigning responsibility to another party.

commission

Suggests requesting a specific piece of work from an external provider.

source externally

Focuses on obtaining resources or services from an external supplier.

farm out

An informal term suggesting the handing over of tasks.

procure externally

A more formal way of saying to obtain services from outside the company.

transfer

Highlights the shift of responsibilities from one entity to another.

assign

Similar to delegate, but can also refer to transferring ownership or rights.

hand over

A more informal phrase indicating the transfer of duties or responsibilities.

FAQs

How is "outsource" typically used in a sentence?

The verb "outsource" is generally followed by the task or function being transferred, often including the recipient. For example, "The company decided to "outsource" its IT support to a firm in India."

What are some alternatives to "outsource"?

You can use alternatives like "contract out", "delegate", or "farm out" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to "outsource" or keep tasks in-house?

The decision to "outsource" versus keeping tasks in-house depends on factors like cost, expertise, and strategic focus. Outsourcing can reduce costs and provide access to specialized skills, but may also introduce communication challenges and quality control issues.

What are the potential benefits of outsourcing?

Potential benefits include cost reduction, access to specialized expertise, increased efficiency, and allowing the company to focus on core competencies. It’s crucial to weigh these advantages against potential risks such as loss of control and communication barriers.