put money on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put money on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express the act of betting or investing in something, often implying a belief in a particular outcome. Example: "I decided to put money on the home team to win the championship this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Freddie Gibbs is the one rapper I would put money on right now.

The New Yorker

"Put money on it.

The Guardian

We put money on red.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I'd put money on it.

The Guardian

Don't put money on it.

The Guardian - Books

I'd put money on it, though.

The Washington Post

I'd put money on the bear, dude".

The Guardian - Music

Some countries have put money on the table.

Independent

Which partnership would you have put money on to endure?

The New Yorker

"I know what stocks to put money on," he laughs.

The New York Times

I was willing to put money on this being popular.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to financial investments, consider using alternatives like "invest in" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "put money on" in contexts where actual financial investment or betting is not implied. Stick to alternatives like "rely on" or "count on" when you simply mean to express confidence or dependence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put money on" functions as a phrasal verb expressing the act of betting or investing, signifying confidence in a particular outcome. Ludwig provides various examples across different contexts that confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "put money on" is a versatile expression used to convey confidence in a specific outcome or person. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, although it is particularly prevalent in news and media. While it is generally considered neutral in register, alternative expressions like "invest in" or "rely on" may be more appropriate in formal settings. Keep in mind that "put money on" implies a willingness to bet or invest, so ensure that the context aligns with this meaning to avoid misinterpretation. With its strong association with betting and personal conviction, this phrase is best used to express a robust prediction or belief about a future event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bet on

Direct synonym, focusing on the wagering aspect.

wager on

Similar to "bet on" but slightly more formal.

gamble on

Emphasizes the risk and uncertainty involved.

invest in

Highlights the financial commitment and expectation of return.

stake on

Implies a significant commitment or reliance.

back

Informal term for supporting or betting on something.

count on

Focuses on relying on someone or something.

rely on

Similar to "count on", expressing dependence.

depend on

Synonymous with "rely on" and "count on".

have faith in

Emphasizes trust and belief in a positive outcome.

FAQs

What does it mean to "put money on" something?

To "put money on" something means to bet on it, indicating a belief that it will succeed or happen. It can also imply investing in something with the expectation of a positive outcome.

What's a less literal alternative to "put money on"?

If you want to avoid the literal betting connotation, you can use phrases like "count on" or "rely on", which simply mean to depend on something.

Is it appropriate to use "put money on" in formal writing?

While "put money on" is widely understood, in formal or business contexts, more precise terms like "invest in" or "support" might be more suitable, depending on the intended meaning.

How can I use "put money on" in a sentence?

You can say, "I'd "put money on" him winning the race," which means you are confident he will win, to the point where you would bet on it.