to address

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to address" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are speaking of addressing a particular issue or problem, such as in the following example: The mayor plans to address the traffic issues in the city by implementing a new public transit system.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"To address someone".

The New York Times

How to address this?

The New Yorker

I'm about to address it.

The New York Times

We had to address it".

The New Yorker

I want to address them.

Independent

To address criticism that C.E.O.

The New York Times

Matthews stood to address them.

The New Yorker

We're going to address them".

The New York Times - Sports

I used to address him.

The New Yorker

There's much to address.

The Guardian - Sport

We know exactly how to address it".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to address" when you want to convey a sense of formally dealing with a problem, issue, or audience. For example, "The speaker rose to address the audience's concerns."

Common error

Avoid using "to address" in overly casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "to talk about" or "to deal with" to maintain a natural tone in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to address" is as an infinitive verb functioning as part of a verb phrase. It commonly introduces actions related to resolving issues or speaking to someone, as seen in Ludwig's examples: "We need "to address" that" and "Mubarak was supposed "to address" the country."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to address" is a versatile and frequently used infinitive phrase that serves to denote dealing with problems, communicating messages, or acknowledging concerns. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of writing contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral to formal register, making it appropriate for professional and academic settings. When considering alternative phrasing, options such as "to tackle", "to resolve", or "to speak to" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Remember to tailor your choice of words to suit the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to tackle

Emphasizes a direct and forceful approach to dealing with a problem or issue. It suggests a more hands-on method compared to simply "to address".

to resolve

Focuses specifically on finding a solution to a problem or conflict, implying a conclusive outcome.

to speak to

Highlights the act of communicating about a particular topic or issue, often in a formal setting.

to deal with

Suggests managing or handling a situation, often with a focus on practicality and efficiency.

to handle

Similar to 'to deal with', but can also imply skill or expertise in managing a situation.

to confront

Implies facing a difficult issue directly and often assertively.

to manage

Focuses on controlling and organizing resources or efforts to achieve a specific outcome.

to rectify

Emphasizes correcting something that is wrong or unjust.

to correct

Implies fixing errors or inaccuracies.

to set about

Indicates beginning to do or deal with something.

FAQs

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

You can use "to address" to describe the act of dealing with an issue, like "The company needs "to address" its environmental impact", or to describe speaking to someone, as in "The president is scheduled "to address" the nation".

What are some alternatives to "to address"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to tackle", "to resolve", "to handle", or "to speak to".

Is it better to say "address a problem" or "solve a problem"?

"Address a problem" implies taking steps to understand and deal with the problem, while "solve a problem" suggests finding a definitive solution. The choice depends on whether you're focused on management or resolution.

What does it mean "to address" an audience?

When you "address" an audience, it means you are giving a formal speech or presentation to them. This usage emphasizes direct communication and engagement with the listeners.