to augment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to augment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of increasing or enhancing something, such as skills, resources, or information. Example: "The company plans to augment its workforce by hiring additional staff to meet the growing demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"You need to augment his income.

The New York Times

Or you may want to augment information with your knowledge.

The New York Times

Two schemes seek to augment that natural process.

The New York Times - Science

Unable to augment his hearing, Foster trained his nose.

The New Yorker

It has turned to retirees to augment its depleted ranks.

The New York Times

You may not honorably work to augment this gruesome tally.

The New York Times - Magazine

They have the power to augment the script".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some, like Target Tracker, were meant to augment attention.

The New Yorker

Then Pema brought lamb curry to augment the lamb innards.

The New Yorker

Washington decided to augment the available technical intelligence.

The New Yorker

I have hired in-home caregivers to augment my presence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to augment", ensure that the addition genuinely enhances or improves the original subject, rather than merely increasing its quantity. For instance, "to augment skills with training" is more effective than "to augment data with noise".

Common error

Avoid using "to augment" in contexts where simpler verbs like "increase" or "add" would suffice. Overusing sophisticated vocabulary can make your writing sound pretentious. Opt for "increase the budget" rather than "augment the budget" when the latter adds no additional nuance.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to augment" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action. It expresses the intention or purpose of increasing or enhancing something, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to augment" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive phrase that means to increase, enhance, or supplement something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a versatile phrase found across various contexts, but particularly prevalent in news and formal writing. While suitable for sophisticated contexts, remember that simpler alternatives might be preferable in casual conversation. With its strong presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, "to augment" is a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to enhance

Focuses on improving the quality or desirability of something.

to supplement

Implies adding something to make up for a deficiency.

to increase

Refers to making something larger in size, amount, or degree.

to complement

Indicates adding something that enhances or completes something else.

to expand

Suggests extending the scope or range of something.

to build upon

Suggests using something as a foundation to create something greater.

to amplify

Conveys the idea of making something louder or more intense.

to add to

A general term for increasing something.

to reinforce

Implies strengthening or supporting something.

to boost

Suggests a quick or temporary increase.

FAQs

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

You can use "to augment" when you want to express the idea of increasing, enhancing, or supplementing something. For example, "The company plans "to augment" its staff during the holiday season".

What's the difference between "to augment" and "to supplement"?

"To augment" implies adding to something to enhance or improve it, while "to supplement" suggests adding something to make up for a deficiency. For example, you might "to augment" your income with a side job, but you "to supplement" your diet with vitamins.

What are some alternatives to "to augment"?

Alternatives to "to augment" include "to enhance", "to supplement", "to increase", or "to expand", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "to augment" in formal writing?

Yes, "to augment" is suitable for formal writing. It is a sophisticated term that conveys a sense of enhancement or addition, making it appropriate for business reports, academic papers, and other formal contexts.