put in perspective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put in perspective" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean viewing something in the context of a larger situation. For example, you can use the phrase in a sentence like: "This financial issue needs to be put in perspective before we can make a decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Put in perspective this small piece of the total picture and don't focus on it," she said.

The New York Times

Milliken also helps put in perspective why the Brown decision failed, over the long-term, to produce integrated schools.

Huffington Post

"Everything here is always put in perspective.

The New York Times - Sports

Put in perspective, that's not all bad.

The New York Times

The rogue cycling problem needs to be put in perspective.

The New York Times

Those victories need to be put in perspective.

The New York Times - Sports

A. This needs to be put in perspective.

The New York Times

I think you've got to put in perspective.

The New York Times

So last night's victory must be put in perspective.

The New York Times - Sports

But such reservations must be put in perspective.

The Guardian

Their achievement so far must be put in perspective.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put in perspective", ensure you provide the context or comparison point to make the perspective clear and meaningful.

Common error

Avoid using "put in perspective" without specifying what the subject is being compared to or what context is relevant. This can leave the reader without a clear understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put in perspective" functions as an idiomatic expression used to reframe information or events within a broader context. Ludwig's examples show it often serves to qualify or moderate reactions by providing a larger view.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "put in perspective" is a common and grammatically sound idiom used to provide context and promote a balanced understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it encourages viewing a situation within a broader framework. It's frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, where objective assessment is crucial. When using this phrase, ensure you offer a clear comparison point to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "contextualize" or "situate in context" can provide similar nuances. Remember to specify what the subject is being compared to, to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contextualize

Focuses on providing context to understand something fully.

situate in context

Emphasizes placing something within its surrounding circumstances.

frame

Implies presenting something in a specific way to influence perception.

view in relation to

Highlights seeing something in connection to another factor or element.

compare with

Suggests evaluating something by noting similarities or differences.

gauge against

Focuses on measuring or judging something against a standard.

weigh against

Implies considering the importance or value of something compared to something else.

measure against

Similar to gauge, but emphasizes a more precise form of comparison.

assess relative to

Highlights evaluating something's significance in comparison to something else.

understand in the grand scheme

Focuses on comprehending something within a larger, more encompassing framework.

FAQs

How can I use "put in perspective" in a sentence?

Use "put in perspective" to indicate that something should be viewed in relation to a larger context or compared to something else to understand its true significance. For instance, "We need to "contextualize" the budget cuts to understand their impact."

What phrases are similar to "put in perspective"?

Alternatives include "contextualize", "situate in context", or "frame". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "put in perspective" and "compare to"?

"Put in perspective" often implies providing a broader understanding of something's importance or impact, while "compare to" simply highlights similarities or differences. Using "put in relation" can also be a good alternative.

When is it appropriate to use "put in perspective" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to offer a broader view of a situation, especially when facts or figures might be misleading without additional context. For example, "Let's "view in relation to" the company's overall performance."