to chronicle something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to chronicle something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of recording or documenting events, experiences, or stories in a detailed manner. Example: "The author decided to chronicle her travels through Europe in a series of blog posts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I hope to do this in several novels: to chronicle something that seems to be very quickly going down the drain.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Kalb started a weekly blog for customers, friends and family, to chronicle the journey, something he's continued to do for the past seven years.

Forbes

"Who are you to tell me that my son isn't going to amount to something?" So he turned to his blog, Lost and Tired, a frank and vivid chronicle of caring for three autistic boys.

The Guardian - Money

No one at the firehouse recalls whose idea it was to turn the logbook into a guest book, only that in the days after the attack on the trade center the company felt something was needed to chronicle the emotions and sentiments of the steady stream of people who stopped by.

The New York Times

In the wake of recent headlines about WorldCom and other firms whose accounting practices are being probed, it is something of a relief to chronicle the downfall of a CEO who is accused of strategic errors but not financial skullduggery.

Forbes

Still, when your job is to chronicle these wars each morning, how can you not say something?

Huffington Post

Just as their previous film, "Until the Light Takes Us," was a look at the Scandinavian death metal scene they are not a part of, their "Occupy" film chronicles something they were curious about but not involved with.

Los Angeles Times

It would be impossible to chronicle a history of partiers cementing friendships over music and substances, but it's clearly something that has been happening since the dawn of it all.

Vice

He used spreadsheets to chronicle mass shootings.

The New York Times

But I wasn't looking to chronicle my romantic escapades.

The New York Times

To chronicle justice.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to chronicle something" when you want to convey a sense of historical significance or long-term record-keeping. It's best suited for situations where you are documenting events over a significant period.

Common error

Avoid using "to chronicle something" in casual conversation or informal writing. The word "chronicle" implies a formal or historical record, so using it in everyday situations can sound pretentious. Instead, opt for simpler alternatives like "to document" or "to record".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to chronicle something" functions as an infinitive phrase that expresses purpose. It indicates the intention or goal of documenting events or experiences in a detailed and systematic way, similar to the examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

23%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to chronicle something" serves to express a formal intention to record events or experiences in a detailed and systematic manner. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, although primarily in News & Media. While its formal tone suggests a neutral to formal register, it's crucial to avoid overusing it in informal settings where alternatives like "to document" or "to record" may be more appropriate. Remember that its connotation makes it fit perfectly with circumstances surrounding journey, lives, ideological battles, mass shootings and mass migrations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to document something

Focuses on recording information, often in a factual or objective manner.

to record something

Emphasizes capturing data or events, often for preservation or later analysis.

to narrate something

Implies telling a story or recounting events in a sequential order.

to detail something

Highlights providing specific information or elaborating on particular aspects.

to recount something

Suggests retelling past events from memory or experience.

to describe something

Focuses on providing a comprehensive account of the characteristics or features of a subject.

to report on something

Emphasizes conveying information about a specific event or topic, often in a journalistic context.

to catalogue something

Implies creating a systematic list or inventory of items or events.

to register something

Focuses on formally recording or documenting information, often for official purposes.

to keep a record of something

Highlights maintaining a continuous account of events or information over time.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "to chronicle something" in a sentence?

Use "to chronicle something" to indicate a detailed and systematic recording of events or experiences. For example: "The historian aimed "to document something", providing a comprehensive account of the war."

What are some alternatives to "to chronicle something"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as ""to document something"", "to record something", or "to narrate something".

Is there a difference between "to chronicle something" and "to document something"?

"To chronicle something" implies a more historical and detailed recording of events over time, while ""to document something"" often refers to recording specific information or facts in a more general sense.

When is it appropriate to use "to chronicle something" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "to chronicle something" when you're referring to a detailed, long-term recording of events, often with a historical or significant context. For example, when discussing historical events, personal journeys, or societal changes.