to consolidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to consolidate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of combining or bringing together various elements into a single, more effective or coherent whole. Example: "The company aims to consolidate its resources to improve efficiency and reduce costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So try to consolidate.

The New York Times

They want to consolidate that.

The New York Times - Tech

Mr. Kordez decided to consolidate his grip.

The New York Times

wanted an efficient way to consolidate them.

The New York Times - Tech

In addition, they began trying to consolidate.

The New York Times - Tech

That's supposed to "consolidate military gains".

The New York Times

The plan serves to consolidate power.

The Economist

Buyers looked to consolidate regional presences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"But we were going to consolidate.

The New York Times

"We needed someplace to consolidate.

The New York Times

"It is time to consolidate".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to consolidate", ensure that the elements being combined or strengthened are clearly defined to maintain clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "to consolidate" when you simply mean to improve or enhance something. Consolidation implies a merging or combining of elements, not just general improvement.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to consolidate" primarily functions as a verb complement, often expressing purpose or intention. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples show it used to describe actions aimed at combining resources, strengthening positions, or unifying disparate elements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to consolidate" is a versatile and frequently used infinitive phrase, mainly in contexts related to news, science and encyclopedias, aimed at expressing the intention to combine, strengthen, or unify. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and semantic clarity make it a reliable choice for conveying strategic actions and purposeful efforts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the elements being consolidated are well-defined to avoid ambiguity. By understanding its core meaning and common applications, writers can effectively employ "to consolidate" to enhance the precision and impact of their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to unify

Stresses the act of bringing different parts together into a single entity, very close in meaning to "to consolidate".

to solidify

Implies making something firm or stable, similar to "to consolidate" but without the necessary component of combining multiple elements.

to strengthen

Emphasizes making something more powerful or resilient, whereas "to consolidate" includes the aspect of uniting.

to reinforce

Focuses on strengthening what already exists, differing from "to consolidate" which implies a bringing together.

to fortify

Highlights making something stronger and more resistant, whereas "to consolidate" also involves integration.

to enhance

Focuses on improving the quality or value of something, while "to consolidate" targets unity and stability.

to bolster

Emphasizes support and reinforcement, while "to consolidate" includes bringing elements together.

to deepen

Implies making something more profound or intense, unlike "to consolidate" which is about making something more unified or secure.

to collate

Specifically means to gather and arrange information, differing from the broader scope of "to consolidate".

to lay

This is a much less common and somewhat archaic synonym with heavy semantic transformation to make it fit, it implies establishing or setting firmly.

FAQs

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

The phrase "to consolidate" is typically used to describe the act of combining multiple things into a single, more cohesive unit or strengthening an existing structure. For example, "The company decided to consolidate its departments to improve efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "to consolidate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to unify", "to strengthen", or "to solidify".

Is it better to say "consolidate efforts" or "strengthen efforts"?

The choice between "consolidate efforts" and "strengthen efforts" depends on the specific meaning you want to convey. "Consolidate efforts" suggests combining separate efforts into a unified approach, while "strengthen efforts" implies reinforcing existing efforts to make them more effective.

What's the difference between "to consolidate" and "to merge"?

"To consolidate" often implies a broader process of combining and strengthening, while "to merge" typically refers specifically to the act of joining two or more things together into one. Consolidation can include merging, but also encompasses other actions like streamlining and reinforcing.