to appreciate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "to appreciate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express gratitude or admiration for something, or to recognize the worth of a person or thing. For example, "I wanted to take the time to appreciate all of the hard work you put into this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You have to appreciate that.

The New York Times

They are coming to appreciate its merits.

The Economist

It's fine to appreciate another culture.

The New Yorker

Women tend to appreciate his flamboyance.

The New Yorker

To appreciate was to estimate justly.

The New Yorker

That means allowing the yuan to appreciate.

The Economist

There was considerably more to appreciate.

The New York Times - Arts

You need adulthood to appreciate such horror.

The New Yorker

They're not going to appreciate it".

Independent

"The client seems to appreciate it".

The New York Times

What do you want consumers to appreciate?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to appreciate" to express gratitude, recognition of value, or a deep understanding of something. For example, "Take a moment to appreciate the beauty around you".

Common error

Avoid using "to appreciate" when simply stating a preference. For example, instead of saying "I appreciate this song", consider "I like this song" or "I enjoy this song" if you don't intend to convey a deeper sense of understanding or gratitude.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to appreciate" primarily functions as a verb, expressing an action of valuing, understanding, or being grateful for something. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in different contexts, and the Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Reference

8%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to appreciate" is a versatile infinitive phrase used to express gratitude, recognize value, or demonstrate a deep understanding. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news media and general writing. While it can appear in formal settings, it's important to avoid using "to appreciate" merely as a substitute for "to like". Remember to use it when conveying a deeper level of understanding or thankfulness, as demonstrated in the many examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to value

Emphasizes the importance or worth assigned to something.

to be grateful for

Highlights a sense of thankfulness for something received.

to recognize the worth of

Focuses on acknowledging the inherent value or quality of something.

to understand fully

Stresses a complete and comprehensive grasp of a concept or situation.

to cherish

Implies a deep affection and protectiveness towards something.

to esteem

Suggests a high level of respect and admiration.

to prize

Emphasizes the rarity or specialness of something.

to acknowledge

Highlights recognizing something's existence or importance.

to be mindful of

Focuses on paying careful attention to something.

to savor

Implies enjoying something slowly and deliberately.

FAQs

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

You can use "to appreciate" to express gratitude (e.g., "I want to appreciate your help"), recognize value (e.g., "It's important to appreciate different cultures"), or show understanding (e.g., "You need time to appreciate the complexity of the situation").

What are some alternatives to using "to appreciate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to value", "to be grateful for", or "to understand fully".

Is it correct to say "I appreciate to help"?

No, it's not correct. The correct phrasing is "I appreciate your help" or "I appreciate you helping me". "To appreciate" is followed by a noun or gerund, not an infinitive.

What's the difference between "to appreciate" and "to admire"?

"To appreciate" implies a deeper understanding or recognition of value, while "to admire" focuses more on respect and approval. You might appreciate the complexity of a musical piece, but admire the skill of the musician.