to commemorate

USAGE SUMMARY

'to commemorate' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a celebration to honor an event or person, such as a holiday or a milestone. For example, "On June 6, the US will commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A photographer wanted to commemorate the moment.

The New York Times

A shot to commemorate the final gig?

The New York Times

No wonder few want to commemorate 1970.

The New York Times

What could they do to commemorate?

The New York Times

Salcedo made them to commemorate Colombia's disappeared.

The Guardian - Arts

Radical forms to commemorate a revolutionary past.

The New York Times - Arts

Our need to commemorate catastrophe runs deep.

The New York Times

Still, he left behind much to commemorate.

The New York Times - Arts

Hair helped to commemorate a person.

The New York Times - Arts

How to commemorate the living veteran?

The New York Times

It is a time to commemorate, consider, and reconsider.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about historical events, use "to commemorate" to emphasize the importance of remembering and learning from the past.

Common error

Avoid using "to commemorate" when the intention is simply to celebrate without a specific focus on remembrance or honoring someone. "Celebrate" is more appropriate for joyous occasions without a deep sense of historical significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to commemorate" functions as an infinitive verb phrase, indicating the purpose or intention behind an action. It signifies a deliberate act of remembering and honoring someone or something, often with a formal or ceremonial element. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to commemorate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to convey the purpose of honoring or remembering a person, event, or idea. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, with secondary usage in scientific and encyclopedic sources, it carries a neutral to formal register. When using "to commemorate", ensure the context involves deliberate remembrance rather than simple celebration. Alternatives such as "in remembrance of", "in honor of", and "to memorialize" offer nuanced variations to express similar intent. Remembering these distinctions will ensure you use "to commemorate" with precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to memorialize

Focuses on creating a lasting memory, often through a monument or written work.

to immortalize

Implies making someone or something remembered forever.

in honor of

Emphasizes respect and admiration for someone or something.

in remembrance of

Focuses specifically on remembering someone or something, often with a sense of loss or respect.

as a tribute to

Highlights the act of giving something to show gratitude or respect.

to pay homage to

Implies a formal or ceremonial act of respect.

in memory of

Specifically denotes remembering someone who has died.

to celebrate the memory of

Combines the act of celebration with remembrance.

to keep alive the memory of

Emphasizes the effort to ensure something is not forgotten.

as a lasting reminder of

Highlights the enduring nature of the memory.

FAQs

How do you use "to commemorate" in a sentence?

You can use "to commemorate" to describe the act of honoring or remembering an event, person, or idea, as in, "The monument was built "to commemorate the fallen"."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to commemorate"?

Alternatives include "in remembrance of", "in honor of", or "to memorialize", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "commemorate for" instead of "to commemorate"?

No, it is not correct. The proper usage is "to commemorate", where "to" indicates the infinitive form of the verb. You might commemorate something, but you do something "to commemorate" it.

What's the difference between "to commemorate" and "to celebrate"?

"To commemorate" emphasizes honoring and remembering, often with a sense of respect or solemnity. "To celebrate", on the other hand, focuses on joyous recognition or acknowledgement of an event or achievement. You "to commemorate a sacrifice" and "to celebrate a victory".