procure food

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'procure food' is correct and usable in written English.
It means to obtain food, usually by buying it. For example: "Many conservationists are working to help local communities procure food during the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

" "It's a way to procure food," he said.

The New York Times

To procure food, Dodola prostitutes herself to passing caravans.

The New York Times - Books

By that age, Dupuis was accompanying his father on seal hunts in a boat to procure food for older relatives for winter.

The New York Times - Sports

As night fell, charity groups were preparing to send tents in case any Roma who had left to procure food or work were not allowed back in.

The New York Times

The larva may have to procure food for itself and, being small, may not be able to feed in the same way as the adult.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One programme to procure food packs for patients with multi-drug-resistant TB, started in 2012, had neither bought nor distributed any packs as of last November.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The response was new strategies for procuring food, sharing ideas and knowledge and organizing their societies.

The New York Times - Science

The variety of means of procuring food reflects the diversity of foods used and the myriad of animal types.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Having dispersed its quota of locally procured food aid, the United States had to switch programs in other countries back to bags of American-grown food.

The New York Times

A different classification, often used, rests on the nature of the behaviour for procuring food: A. Filter feeders strain food from the surrounding medium more or less indiscriminately.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The study estimated that procuring food locally, or distributing cash or vouchers, results in an average time-saving of nearly 14 weeks.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "procure food" when you want to convey a formal or official tone, particularly in contexts related to organizations, institutions, or historical events.

Common error

Avoid using "procure food" in casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "get food" or "buy food" are more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "procure food" functions as a verb phrase + noun, where "procure" is the verb indicating the action of obtaining something, and "food" is the noun, the object being obtained. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "procure food" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe the act of obtaining food. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for written English. Although "procure food" is considered common and appropriate for formal and professional contexts, simpler terms such as "get food" or "buy food" may be better suited for everyday conversations. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting a more formal or official tone. Related phrases include "obtain food" and "acquire food", which can be used as alternatives depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Obtain food

A more general term for getting food, without specifying the method.

Acquire food

Similar to "obtain", but may imply a more deliberate or strategic effort.

Get food

A very common and informal way to say "procure food".

Secure food

Emphasizes the effort or difficulty in obtaining food, often in situations of scarcity.

Source food

Focuses on identifying and obtaining food from a particular origin or supplier.

Find food

Suggests discovering food that is already available, rather than actively purchasing it.

Gather food

Implies collecting food from natural sources, like foraging or hunting.

Purchase food

Specifically refers to buying food.

Forage for food

Implies searching for food in the wild.

Scrounge for food

Suggests finding food by any means, often implying difficulty or desperation.

FAQs

How can I use "procure food" in a sentence?

You can use "procure food" when discussing how organizations or individuals obtain food, especially in formal or historical contexts. For example, "The charity helps families "obtain food" during emergencies".

What are some alternatives to "procure food"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "buy food", "get food", "obtain food", or "acquire food".

Is it more common to say "procure food" or "buy food"?

"Buy food" is more common in everyday conversation. "Procure food" is often used in more formal or official contexts, such as when discussing government programs or historical events. It suggests a more deliberate and organized effort to "acquire food".

What's the difference between "procure food" and "gather food"?

"Procure food" generally implies obtaining food through purchase or organized means, while "gather food" suggests collecting food from natural resources, such as foraging or hunting. Therefore, the alternative "gather food" is limited to specific situations.