rotate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "rotate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a physical act of turning or pivoting something, or to refer to the passage of time in a cycle or sequence. For example, "We rotate shifts to make sure everyone gets a chance to work days and nights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We need to rotate and give the possibility to play for all.

The Guardian - Sport

I was one of a number of correspondents to rotate through the Cairo bureau.

The Guardian

It will be interesting to see if they take turns to lead the line, play together, or rotate in a more fluid system.

The Guardian - Sport

"Some of it is making sure we can play our football, the way we want … the idea is that they [the starting trio of James Holland, Mark Milligan and James Troisi] are pretty mobile and rotate through those areas, so I think you'll see less of set positions and more of all three contributing in attack and defence".

The Guardian - Sport

But it is not only militants who feel it is the delta's right to field a president for another elected term despite an informal deal that power should rotate between north and south every two terms.

The Guardian

The last two weeks we've played five games and we've had to rotate a bit to keep players fresh.

The Guardian - Sport

The bad news is that the Impact cannot afford to rotate the squad.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's clear that without Pirlo we lose a little quality," he said on Sunday, "but we need to rotate; we want to carry on right to the end of every competition".

The Guardian - Sport

Press, rotate, then press again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Top brass and important meetings rotate between two headquarters, in Beijing and Morrisville, North Carolina (where IBM's PC division was based), and Lenovo's research hub in Japan.

The Economist

Physicists have known the stuff must exist since 1933, when Fritz Zwicky, a Swiss astro-physicist, coined the term to describe a substance which cannot be seen but without which visible galaxies would fly apart as they rotate.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing cyclical processes, use "rotate" to emphasize the repeating nature of the cycle, such as rotating crops to improve soil health.

Common error

Avoid using "rotate" when describing a simple, non-repeating change. For instance, instead of saying "rotate the responsibilities", use "shift the responsibilities" if there's no intention of returning to the original arrangement.

Linguistic Context

The word "rotate" primarily functions as a verb, indicating the act of turning or revolving around an axis or center. It can also act as an adjective, though less commonly, as evidenced in some definitions on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "rotate" is a versatile term primarily used as a verb to describe the act of turning or revolving. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts. Predominantly found in news, business, and scientific articles, "rotate" maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "rotate", be mindful of its cyclical implication and avoid substituting it for simple, linear changes. Consider alternatives like "spin", "turn", or "cycle" to add nuance or specificity to your writing. Ludwig's examples show it is a very common word in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Spin

Focuses specifically on the action of turning rapidly.

Turn

A more general term for changing direction or orientation.

Revolve

Implies movement in a circular path around a center.

Cycle

Emphasizes a repeating sequence or pattern.

Alternate

Suggests taking turns or switching between options.

Circulate

Implies movement within a defined area or system.

Pivot

Focuses on a sharp turn or change in strategy.

Shift

Suggests a change in position, focus, or emphasis.

Exchange

Implies swapping places or roles.

Take turns

Highlights the act of individuals performing an action in a sequence.

FAQs

How can I use "rotate" in a sentence?

You can use "rotate" to describe a physical turning motion, as in "rotate the tires on your car", or to describe a cyclical change, such as "rotate the crops each season".

What are some alternatives to the word "rotate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "spin", "turn", "revolve", or "cycle".

Is it correct to say "rotate around"?

While "rotate" implies a circular movement, using "rotate around" can add emphasis to the central point of rotation. However, in many cases, "rotate" alone is sufficient.

What's the difference between "rotate" and "revolve"?

"Rotate" refers to spinning on an axis, while "revolve" refers to moving in a circular path around another object. For example, the Earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the Sun.