solidify

USAGE SUMMARY

'solidify' is a correct word in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the action of making something stronger or more definite. For example, "The partnership between the two companies has been solidified by the signing of the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Having helped to almost destroy an innocent man – who was held for three days by detectives, a decision possibly encouraged by his conviction in the court of journalistic opinion – television now attempts to solidify his exoneration with The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, a two-and-a-half hour, two-part drama (Wednesday and Thursday, ITV), written by Peter Morgan.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Work quickly through all the cherries before the chocolate begins to solidify.

The Guardian - Books

The row over Juncker comes at a crucial time for the prime minister as he is under increasing pressure from Tory backbenchers to solidify his commitment to a referendum.

The Guardian

Without Romney unable to build momentum from consecutive wins, it's likely that the born-again Christian and evangelical divide will solidify.

The Guardian - Opinion

As AshLee enters paradise, she informs viewers that her goal for appearing on this show is to solidify the deep love she has already built and consummated (in her own imagination) with fellow contestant Graham Bunn.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The political settlement Spaniards agreed on as they emerged from dictatorship in the 1970s gave huge power to the parties to solidify democracy.

The Economist

They would prefer a much smaller facility, consuming perhaps 30,000 b/d, with the balance being pumped across neighbouring Kenya to the Indian Ocean.Mr Pearmain points out that Ugandan oil is waxy, and so likely to solidify in a pipeline unless heated.

The Economist

The worry is that Mr Kerry will be able to solidify a positive impression in the public's mind in the next couple of months, before people turn off for the summer, and that the Republicans will not have enough time to redefine him after their convention.The president's best chanceCan negative ads do anything to change these potentially disastrous political dynamics?

The Economist

Mr Nano was himself jailed for three years during Mr Berisha's presidency.However the latest jittery stand-off in Tirana ends, the virtual partition of Europe's poorest country is likely to solidify.

The Economist

The duo believed that freer markets would bring economic gains and that they would solidify popular support for the conservative cause.

The Economist

Once that vote is taken and the Commons has expressed its democratic will, only a hard core of dissidents, some of whom heckled him in Parliament this week, should remain.Just as a Commons vote should solidify support, so should committing troops to action.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "solidify", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being made more stable or definite. For abstract concepts, consider alternatives like "strengthen" or "reinforce" to convey the intended meaning effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "solidify" when referring to emotions or feelings. While you can "solidify" a plan or an agreement, using it with intangible subjects might sound unnatural. Instead, opt for more appropriate verbs like "strengthen" or "deepen".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "solidify" is a verb. It denotes the act of making something solid, firm, or stable. Ludwig examples show its application in diverse contexts, from physical processes to abstract agreements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "solidify" functions as a verb that describes the process of making something more solid, stable, or definite. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct. Usage is very common, with examples found across various contexts, including News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. While grammatically correct, "solidify" should be used thoughtfully, particularly in abstract contexts, where alternatives like "strengthen" or "reinforce" may be more appropriate. This guide aims to help you effectively incorporate "solidify" into your writing, ensuring clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strengthen

Similar to "make stronger", but with a slightly broader application.

consolidate

Implies bringing together separate elements into a unified whole.

reinforce

Implies adding extra support to something already existing.

cement

Suggests a very strong and lasting bond or connection.

make stronger

Focuses on increasing strength or resilience.

stabilize

Indicates making something more resistant to change or disruption.

make firm

Emphasizes the act of establishing something securely.

affirm

Focuses on confirming or validating something, making it more definite.

make concrete

Highlights the process of turning something abstract into something real and tangible.

harden

Focuses on physical transformation to a more solid state.

FAQs

How can I use "solidify" in a sentence?

You can use "solidify" to describe the process of making something more stable or definite. For example, "The new contract will "solidify" our partnership" or "The cooling process helps to "solidify" the metal structure".

What are some alternatives to "solidify"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "strengthen", "reinforce", "cement", or "consolidate" instead of ""solidify"".

When is it appropriate to use "solidify" rather than "strengthen"?

"Solidify" is best used when something is becoming more physically solid or when an abstract concept is becoming more established and definite. "Strengthen" is more general and can be used to describe increasing the power or resilience of something.

Is "solidify" appropriate for describing emotional bonds?

While technically correct, using "solidify" for emotional bonds might sound unnatural. It's usually better to use verbs like "strengthen", "deepen", or "cement" when referring to relationships or emotional connections.