reclaim for

USAGE SUMMARY

‘reclaim for’ isn’t a correct or usable phrase in written English.
You can use the phrase ‘reclaim for’ in colloquial English, but in written English, you would use the phrase ‘reclaim’ instead. Example: The city was trying to reclaim the abandoned building for a public park.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The powers that the cardinals had succeeded in appropriating were difficult for the centralized authority of the papacy, whether in Avignon or in Rome, to reclaim for itself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Passion" arrived indoors at the Donmar in September as if to reclaim for keeps a famously contentious show that, truth to tell, had never previously engaged me much.

The New York Times - Arts

Baniszewski hates the purity of Sylvia, a quality she can neither reclaim for herself nor bequeath to her daughters, whose young lives already seem destined for similar miseries.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a slur – and though it might be accurately portrayed on screen or on stage, it's not yours to reclaim for someone else, even characters in a show.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a 2005 newsletter, the Council on State Taxation, which represents businesses, mocked "the allegedly pro-business" Mr. Romney for trying to "firmly reclaim for the commonwealth the dubious title of Taxachusetts".

The New York Times

I continue to hope that someday, some knowledgable seeker will happen upon these letters that I – and many passionate scholars – have waited 25 years to reclaim for the literary record.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

It has since added more than 40 parcels of adjoining land, making Wicken an extraordinary project in reclaiming for nature land that was once reclaimed for agriculture.

Independent

Jaffna town was reclaimed for the government.

The Economist

All are gone now, reclaimed for agriculture.

The New York Times - Books

Could pink finally be reclaimed for all to enjoy?

The Economist

Next came the forests, hastily reclaimed for the public.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal writing, consider using "reclaim" without the "for" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "reclaim for" when a simpler verb like "reclaim" suffices. Redundancy can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reclaim for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of recovering something, often with the implication of restoring it to a previous state or owner. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it isn't always considered grammatically correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reclaim for" suggests recovering something for a specific purpose or entity. However, Ludwig AI flags it as potentially grammatically incorrect in formal writing, recommending the use of "reclaim" alone for clarity. While commonly found in various contexts like News & Media and Encyclopedias, it's best to exercise caution and consider grammatically sound alternatives such as "restore to" or "recover for" when aiming for professional or academic writing. Understanding its nuances will help ensure your writing is both clear and grammatically precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reclaim

Concise way of expressing recovering something without specifying the beneficiary.

recover for

Emphasizes regaining something lost, often with a focus on making up for a deficit.

restore to

Highlights returning something to a previous condition or owner.

recoup for

Recover a loss or expenditure.

win back for

Suggests effort and competition in regaining something.

retrieve for

Focuses on the act of finding and bringing something back.

recapture for

Implies taking something back by force or strategy.

repossess for

Legal or formal act of taking back possession.

reacquire for

Formal term for gaining possession again.

get back for

Informal way of expressing the act of recovering something.

FAQs

Is "reclaim for" grammatically correct?

While colloquially used, "reclaim for" is often considered grammatically questionable in formal writing. It's generally recommended to use "reclaim" by itself.

When is it appropriate to use "reclaim for"?

You might encounter "reclaim for" in informal contexts or certain idiomatic expressions. However, for clarity and correctness, "reclaim" is often preferred.

What's a more formal alternative to "reclaim for"?

Consider using alternatives like "restore to" or "recover for", but always ensure the phrasing is grammatically sound in the context.

Is there a difference between "reclaim" and "reclaim for"?

Yes, "reclaim" directly implies recovering something. Adding "for" can create an awkward construction. It's usually best to simply use "reclaim" to maintain clarity.