relegate them to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relegate them to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the act of assigning someone or something to a lower status or position. Example: "The committee decided to relegate them to a secondary role in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Residents revere khinkali and only tourists dare relegate them to a mere side dish.

The Guardian - Travel

Just don't relegate them to the bottom of the salad bowl.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Don't black actors deserve roles that don't relegate them to possessions?

The Guardian - Opinion

The restlessness of the women is a byproduct of the attempts of the men to relegate them to bystander status.

The New York Times

Stories of the past are as much of our world today as the history we relegate them to.

The Guardian

"And the rest of the world is worrying that the United States will relegate them to the back burner".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Facebook Home relegates them to Android's traditional Home screens.

The New York Times - Tech

DSM-IV, for example, pretty much relegates them to a footnote.

University of California, Berkeley

This improves the old system, which relegated them to a separate page.

The New York Times

Minus 50 would have been worth only 9 match points and relegated them to second.

The New York Times

Popular culture had long ignored gays or, in more recent years, relegated them to caricatured roles.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relegate them to" to clearly indicate a lowering in status, importance, or position. It is particularly effective when discussing shifts in roles, responsibilities, or value within a system or organization.

Common error

Avoid using "relegate them to" when a neutral term like "assign" or "transfer" is more appropriate. The phrase carries a negative connotation, suggesting a reduction in value or importance, so ensure it aligns with your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relegate them to" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of assigning someone or something to a lower or less important position. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

26%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "relegate them to" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes the act of assigning someone or something to a lower status or position. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely used in news media, academic writing, and scientific publications. When writing, it is vital to consider the inherent negative connotation and ensure it aligns with the intended meaning. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "demote them to" or "downgrade them to", the best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance. This makes "relegate them to" a versatile tool in expressing shifts in status and importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relegate them into

Very similar to the original phrase, offering a slight variation in prepositional use.

demote them to

Implies a formal reduction in rank or status, often within a hierarchical structure.

downgrade them to

Suggests a reduction in quality, importance, or value.

assign them to a lower position

A more explicit and neutral way of indicating a shift to a less important role.

reduce them to

Highlights the act of diminishing someone or something to a lesser state.

re-task them to

Indicates a shift in assigned duties, often to less critical functions.

reposition them to

Focuses on changing the strategic placement or role of someone or something.

place them in a subordinate role

Emphasizes the hierarchical nature of the new assignment.

reassign them to

Simply suggests a change in assignment, often with less desirable connotations.

reclassify them as

Indicates a formal change in categorization, often resulting in a lower status.

FAQs

How can I use "relegate them to" in a sentence?

You can use "relegate them to" to indicate that someone or something has been moved to a less important or less prominent position. For example, "The company decided to "relegate them to" a supporting role".

What are some alternatives to "relegate them to"?

Alternatives include "demote them to", "downgrade them to", or "assign them to a lower position", depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "relegate them to"?

No, because the term has a negative connotation, it should be used when something or someone suffers loss of status or importance. Be careful to check if a neutral alternative like "assign" is not more appropriate.

What's the difference between "relegate them to" and "promote them to"?

"Relegate them to" implies a decrease in status or importance, while "promote them to" indicates an increase in status or importance. They are antonyms.