to accumulate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "to accumulate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in the sense of gathering or amassing a large quantity of something over time. For example, "The company has been able to accumulate a large amount of money over the last few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Speculate to accumulate.

The Guardian

But this encouraged Haiti to accumulate debt.

The Economist

Meanwhile, fees and interest continue to accumulate.

The New York Times

We have to accumulate wins.

The New York Times - Sports

But you have to speculate to accumulate.

The Economist

We seemed to accumulate stuff quickly, too.

The Guardian - Travel

Their goal is to accumulate $30 million.

The New York Times

But the evidence continued to accumulate.

The New York Times - Science

The negative news continued to accumulate.

The New Yorker

LM: "We must speculate to accumulate".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But knowledge was slow to accumulate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to accumulate" when you want to emphasize a gradual increase or gathering of something over time, often with the implication of a final large quantity.

Common error

Avoid using "to accumulate" interchangeably with verbs like "to collect" or "to gather" if the emphasis is not on the gradual increase but simply on the act of bringing things together. "To accumulate" suggests a process, while the others can be more immediate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to accumulate" functions primarily as an infinitive verb phrase. It describes the action of gradually gathering or increasing something over time. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to accumulate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive verb phrase that describes the process of gradually gathering or increasing something over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is readily usable in written English. Its neutral register and frequent appearance in news, science, and business contexts make it a versatile choice for various writing needs. When using this phrase, remember to emphasize the gradual and progressive nature of the accumulation. If you need alternatives, consider phrases like "to gather" or "to amass", keeping in mind their subtle differences in meaning. "To accumulate" is a very common term used in many contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to build up

Focuses on a gradual increase over time, similar to accumulate but emphasizing the process.

to amass

Implies gathering a large quantity, similar to accumulate but with a stronger emphasis on size.

to gather

A more general term for bringing things together, less specific than accumulate.

to collect

Similar to gather, but often implies a more deliberate and organized process.

to accrue

Often refers to the gradual increase of something like interest or benefits.

to pile up

Suggests a less organized and more haphazard accumulation.

to build

Focuses on constructing or creating something, rather than simply gathering.

to acquire

Implies gaining possession of something, rather than necessarily increasing in quantity.

to stockpile

Suggests accumulating a reserve for future use.

to aggregate

Emphasizes combining different elements into a single mass or sum.

FAQs

How can I use "to accumulate" in a sentence?

You can use "to accumulate" to describe a gradual increase in something over time, such as "The company worked hard "to accumulate wealth"" or "Dust tends "to accumulate quickly" on surfaces".

What are some alternatives to "to accumulate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to gather", "to amass", "to build up", or "to collect". Each alternative has a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.

Is it correct to say "accumulate to" instead of "to accumulate"?

The correct infinitive form is "to accumulate". "Accumulate to" might appear in different sentence structures, but it's not the infinitive form. For example: "The debts accumulate to a large sum."

What's the difference between "to accumulate" and "to accrue"?

"To accumulate" generally refers to gathering or increasing something gradually. "To accrue", /s/to+accrue on the other hand, often refers specifically to the gradual increase of something like interest, benefits, or rights.