strengthen that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strengthen that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of making something stronger or more effective, often in a context of argumentation or support. Example: "To improve our proposal, we need to strengthen that point with more evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This would only strengthen that bond.

Independent

Hamas has often helped strengthen that thesis.

The Economist

Officials are now seeking to formalize and strengthen that policy.

The New York Times

"When Christo died I wanted to strengthen that," Garrett says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One company set out to strengthen that foundation in 2000.

The New York Times

Should I keep doing them to strengthen that side?

The New York Times

Therefore, our main concern should be to strengthen that body's role.

The New York Times

And the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in May will strengthen that agreement.

The Guardian

As we launch the seven-day Sun, we want to strengthen that connection".

The Guardian

The cynical view is that the conclusions in the leaked report only strengthen that association.

The Guardian

We are working very hard to preserve and strengthen that trust.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "strengthen that", ensure the 'that' clearly refers to a previously mentioned concept or element to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The evidence supports our claim; we need to strengthen that with additional data."

Common error

Avoid using "strengthen that" when the referent of 'that' is unclear or ambiguous. Reword the sentence to explicitly state what is being strengthened. For example, instead of "The policy needs work; let's strengthen that," specify "The policy needs work; let's strengthen the enforcement mechanisms."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strengthen that" functions as a verb phrase where 'strengthen' is the verb and 'that' is a demonstrative pronoun referring to a previously mentioned noun, idea, or concept. It aims to reinforce or validate the subject under discussion. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "strengthen that" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to advocate for reinforcing or validating a previously mentioned concept. According to Ludwig, the phrase is indeed correct and suitable for various contexts. Its register is generally neutral, appearing frequently in news media, scientific documents, and business communications. When using this phrase, ensure the referent of 'that' is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "reinforce that" and "bolster that". Overall, "strengthen that" is a versatile phrase that effectively conveys the need for reinforcement in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reinforce that

Emphasizes adding support to something already in place.

bolster that

Suggests providing additional support or encouragement to that.

affirm that

Implies confirming or validating that statement or idea.

validate that

Focuses on proving or demonstrating the accuracy of that.

substantiate that

Highlights providing evidence to support that claim.

amplify that

Conveys the idea of increasing the impact or reach of that.

augment that

Implies adding to something to enhance its effect.

intensify that

Suggests making something stronger or more concentrated.

underscore that

Highlights the importance or significance of that.

cement that

Conveys the idea of making something more permanent.

FAQs

How can I use "strengthen that" in a sentence?

Use "strengthen that" to indicate reinforcing or supporting a previously mentioned idea or action. For example, "The foundation is weak; we must strengthen that before building higher".

What can I say instead of "strengthen that"?

You can use alternatives like "reinforce that", "bolster that", or "augment that" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "strengthen that" and "reinforce that"?

"Strengthen that" and "reinforce that" are largely interchangeable, but "strengthen" implies making something more robust, while "reinforce" suggests adding support to something already established.

When is it appropriate to use "strengthen that" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "strengthen that" when you want to emphasize the need to make a specific point, argument, or structure more robust or effective. Ensure the referent of 'that' is clear. It's similar in use to other ways to "bolster that".