to condemn

USAGE SUMMARY

"to condemn" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express strong disapproval of someone or something, for example: "He was condemned for his actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Children's authors rushed to condemn him.

Independent

He refuses to condemn suicide-bombers.

The Economist

Top clerics declined to condemn the couple.

The New York Times

But that's not to condemn them.

The Guardian

I'm not going to condemn him.

The New Yorker

Evans has yet to condemn their actions.

Independent

Israeli leaders hastened to condemn the act.

The New York Times

"What are you going to condemn that?

Independent

Nagarjuna used reason to condemn reason.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But she refuses to condemn him entirely.

The New Yorker

Liverpool were quick to condemn Dodd's action.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to condemn" when you want to express a strong moral or ethical disapproval of an action or behavior. Ensure the context clearly warrants such strong language.

Common error

Avoid using "to condemn" for minor disagreements or preferences. Reserve it for serious ethical breaches or actions that warrant significant censure. Using milder terms like "to disagree with" or "to criticize" is often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to condemn" is as an infinitive verb phrase, often used to express a judgment or strong disapproval. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment and exemplified in sentences where it follows auxiliary verbs, such as "refuses to condemn" or "hastened to condemn."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to condemn" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions primarily as an infinitive verb phrase expressing strong disapproval or judgment, particularly in news and media contexts. While it's prevalent in formal registers, caution should be exercised to avoid overuse in mild situations where less emphatic alternatives might be more appropriate. Several alternatives, such as "to denounce" or "to criticize strongly", offer nuanced ways to convey disapproval, ensuring precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to denounce

Implies a public and forceful condemnation.

to criticize strongly

Focuses on the act of expressing disapproval or finding fault.

to censure

Suggests a formal reprimand or expression of disapproval.

to express disapproval of

A more neutral way of indicating disagreement or objection.

to reprehend

A more formal and less common synonym for 'to condemn'.

to deplore

Emphasizes sorrow or regret alongside disapproval.

to pass judgment on

Highlights the act of forming an opinion and declaring it.

to find fault with

Focuses on identifying flaws or imperfections.

to take a dim view of

An idiomatic expression indicating disapproval.

to object to

Indicates opposition or disagreement.

FAQs

How to use "to condemn" in a sentence?

Use "to condemn" when you want to express strong disapproval of something. For example, "The president chose to condemn the violence".

What can I say instead of "to condemn"?

You can use alternatives like "to denounce", "to criticize strongly", or "to express disapproval of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to condemn" or "condemning"?

Both forms can be correct, but they serve different grammatical functions. "To condemn" is the infinitive form and is often used after auxiliary verbs (e.g., "He refused to condemn the act"). "Condemning" is the gerund or present participle form and is used as a noun or part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "His act of condemning the violence was praised").

What's the difference between "to condemn" and "to criticize"?

"To condemn" expresses a stronger degree of disapproval than "to criticize". "To criticize" involves pointing out faults or expressing disapproval, while "to condemn" implies a moral or ethical judgment and a strong denunciation of the action or behavior.