resorted

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'resorted' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is the past tense form of the verb 'resort', meaning to turn to someone or something for help or support, typically in a desperate or difficult situation. Example: After trying for months to fix her laptop, Jane finally resorted to calling a professional for help.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not only has Alessandro Nencini, the presiding judge of the Florence appeals court, apparently resorted to the same tortured logic as his predecessors; he has also stated things as fact that are manifestly and provably wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ben Jackson, a student at King's College London, lived in a rented house in Lewisham and dealt with flooding and a broken boiler, and resorted to showering at university.

The Guardian

Unable to restrain the spiky haired libertine, the hotel was forced to call in the Thai army who resorted to shooting the unhinged Billy with tranquilliser darts after he refused to leave his suite.

The Guardian - Travel

Tony Abbott resorted to playing these games too, like the foray into the history wars in the last week of the campaign.

The Guardian

Over recent years, particularly following the Lord's Resistance Army insurgency in Katine in 2003, the community resorted to burning charcoal to support their livelihoods.

The Guardian

Thus the right are heard to argue that fascism copied communism: before becoming a fascist, Mussolini was a socialist; Hitler, too, was a National Socialist; concentration camps and genocidal violence were features of the Soviet Union a decade before Nazis resorted to them; the annihilation of the Jews has a clear precedent in the annihilation of the class enemy, etc.

The Guardian

That evening, at a nearby Mexican restaurant, I meet Margot, a midwife from Ramsgate who has resorted to bathing in bleach to rid herself of morgellons.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Timor-Leste's ambassador to Australia said his country was "deeply disappointed" that Australian intelligence agencies had resorted to raids and thought "fair-minded" Australians would reject the "national security" explanation given by George Brandis as ridiculous.

The Guardian

In some cases we resorted to charging rape as a form of torture and in others as inhumane treatment.

The Guardian

When that failed and the goalposts were perceived to have been moved again – with British Museum trustees saying exhibiting the marbles in London "allows different complementary stories to be told about them" – Greece resorted to diplomatic channels.

The Guardian - Arts

Service chiefs resorted to squabbling among themselves as it became increasingly clear that their spending on weapons systems Britain could not afford, and in some cases did not need, would end in tears.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "resorted", ensure the context clearly indicates that the action was taken as a last option or due to a lack of better alternatives. This emphasizes the difficult circumstances leading to the choice.

Common error

Avoid using "resorted" when a more neutral verb like "used" or "turned to" would be more appropriate. Overusing "resorted" can create an unnecessarily negative or desperate tone.

Linguistic Context

The verb "resorted" functions as the main verb in a sentence, indicating an action taken as a last option or when other methods have failed. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes turning to something for help or support in a difficult situation. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing actions taken after other options were exhausted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "resorted" functions as a main verb indicating an action taken as a last option. As Ludwig AI confirms, it implies a situation where other methods have failed, leading to a final measure taken out of necessity. The examples from Ludwig show that "resorted" is frequently used in news and media, as well as formal business and scientific contexts. It carries a generally neutral tone, leaning toward formal communication. Alternative phrases, like "turned to" or "fell back on", can be used to express a similar meaning, but without the implication of desperation or lack of choice. Use "resorted" when you want to emphasize the difficult circumstances leading to a particular decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turned to

Focuses on the action of seeking help or a solution. "Turned to" emphasizes the act of seeking assistance or a different course of action.

fell back on

Suggests relying on a backup plan or a previously available option. "Fell back on" conveys the idea of reverting to a prior strategy or resource.

made recourse to

More formal and emphasizes the act of seeking assistance within a specific framework or system. It is more formal than "resorted".

had recourse to

Similar to "made recourse to" but places greater emphasis on the existence of a channel or option for assistance. "Had recourse to" highlights the availability of the option itself.

was driven to

Highlights the external pressures that led to the action. "Was driven to" emphasizes the external influences that prompted the action.

was compelled to

Emphasizes the force or necessity driving the action. "Was compelled to" suggests that the action was unavoidable or driven by circumstances.

was obliged to

Similar to "was compelled to" but suggests a sense of duty or obligation. This implies a moral or legal imperative behind the action.

had no alternative but to

Highlights the lack of other options and the inevitability of the chosen action. It focuses on the absence of choice.

found it necessary to

Underscores the perceived need or importance of the action. This stresses the necessity of the action from the perspective of the actor.

took to

Emphasizes the adoption of a specific action or behavior, usually after exhausting other options. "Took to" is less forceful than "resorted", indicating a more deliberate choice.

FAQs

How to use "resorted" in a sentence?

Use "resorted" to indicate that someone has turned to a particular action or strategy as a last option because other methods have failed or are not available. For example, "After all negotiations failed, the company "resorted" to legal action".

What can I say instead of "resorted to"?

You can use alternatives like "turned to", "fell back on", or "had recourse to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "resorted" when there were other options available?

While grammatically correct, using "resorted" implies that the chosen action was taken as a last resort. If other viable options were available and easily accessible, using a more neutral verb like "used" or "employed" might be more accurate.

What's the difference between "resorted to" and "turned to"?

"Resorted to" implies that the action was a last resort due to a lack of better options. "Turned to" simply indicates that someone sought help or assistance, without necessarily implying desperation or a lack of alternatives.