to convey

USAGE SUMMARY

"to convey" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe an action when someone attempts to make a thought, feeling, or idea known to someone else. For example, "She tried to convey her disappointment with a sigh."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a hard message to convey.

The New York Times - Health

Not all messages are easy to convey.

The New York Times

— and one meant to convey extreme disgust.

The New Yorker

But inner lives are hard to convey.

The New York Times - Books

"It has to convey being newborn".

The New Yorker

Humour is also difficult to convey.

The New Yorker

What do the images fail to convey?

The New Yorker

But these are difficult messages to convey.

The Economist

The intent here is to convey information.

The New York Times

"" is meant to convey SHOCK.

The New York Times

Seems useless to convey reasons.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to convey", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being communicated and to whom. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

While "to convey" is versatile, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "to communicate", "to express", or "to impart" for a more engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to convey" functions as an infinitive, often serving as an adverbial of purpose, explaining the reason behind an action. It indicates the intent to communicate or transmit something, aligning with Ludwig's assessment of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to convey" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express the intention of communicating or transmitting something effectively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. Remember to consider synonyms like "to communicate" or "to express" for stylistic variation, and ensure your writing clearly indicates what you aim to communicate. By following these guidelines, you can confidently use "to convey" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to communicate

Focuses on the general act of sharing information, thoughts, or feelings.

to express

Emphasizes the outward manifestation of inner thoughts or feelings.

to impart

Highlights the action of giving or bestowing knowledge or wisdom.

to transmit

Suggests a more formal or technical process of sending information.

to relay

Implies passing information from one person or place to another.

to disclose

Indicates revealing something previously hidden or unknown.

to articulate

Focuses on expressing something clearly and effectively.

to indicate

Suggests pointing out or showing something indirectly.

to represent

Focuses on symbolizing or standing for something else.

to manifest

Emphasizes making something evident or visible.

FAQs

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

You can use "to convey" to describe the act of communicating a message or idea, as in "The speaker used visual aids "to convey" the complex data more effectively".

What are some alternatives to "to convey"?

Alternatives to "to convey" include "to communicate", "to express", or "to impart", depending on the specific nuance you wish to express.

Is there a difference between "to convey" and "to suggest"?

"To convey" implies a direct transmission of information, while "to suggest" implies hinting at something indirectly. You "to convey" a fact, but you "to suggest" an idea.

When is it appropriate to use "to convey" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "to convey" in situations where you want to emphasize the act of transmitting a message or idea from one person or entity to another. For example, "The painting aimed "to convey" a sense of peace".