to facilitate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to facilitate" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the act of making a process easier or helping to bring about a particular outcome. Example: "The new software was designed to facilitate communication between team members, improving overall collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their job is to facilitate that desire.

The New York Times - Magazine

Being willing to facilitate their success.

The New York Times

The advertiser wants us to facilitate consumption".

The New Yorker

We are here to facilitate access".

The New York Times

Her brother agrees to facilitate.

The New York Times - Arts

"You're there to facilitate it.

The New York Times

We want to facilitate that.

The New York Times

It's all to facilitate that".

The Guardian - Sport

"We want to facilitate their work".

The New York Times

We were just there to facilitate.

The Guardian - Film

That's what OpenTrips.co.uk is trying to facilitate.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to facilitate", ensure that the sentence clearly states what is being facilitated and the intended outcome. For example, "The new software is designed to facilitate communication between teams, improving overall collaboration."

Common error

Avoid using "to facilitate" in overly complex sentences where simpler verbs like "help" or "enable" would provide greater clarity. Clarity and directness often improve communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to facilitate" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it typically introduces a clause explaining the reason for an action or design, aiming to make something easier or more likely to occur. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to facilitate" is a very common and grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to express the purpose of making something easier or helping it to happen. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalent use across diverse fields, including News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying what is being facilitated and the intended outcome, but avoid overuse in overly complex sentences where simpler alternatives may be more effective. While it has a generally professional tone, be aware that more informal registers could include simpler verbs that mean essentially the same thing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to enable

Focuses on providing the means or opportunity for something to occur.

to assist in

Highlights the act of providing help or support in a particular process.

to promote

Emphasizes the encouragement or advancement of something.

to support

Suggests providing assistance or resources to help something succeed.

to aid in

Similar to "assist in", but can imply a more direct or tangible form of help.

to foster

Implies nurturing and encouraging the growth or development of something.

to ease

Focuses on reducing difficulty or making something more comfortable.

to expedite

Suggests accelerating a process or making it happen more quickly.

to simplify

Highlights the act of making something less complex or easier to understand.

to advance

Emphasizes moving something forward or improving its progress.

FAQs

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

Use "to facilitate" to describe the action of making something easier or helping it to happen. For example: "The new regulations are designed to facilitate trade between countries."

What are some alternatives to "to facilitate"?

You can use alternatives like "to enable", "to assist in", or "to promote" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "to facilitate" and "to help"?

"To facilitate" implies making a process easier or more likely to happen, while "to help" is a more general term for providing assistance. "To facilitate" often suggests a more indirect or supportive role, whereas "to help" can be more direct.

Is it better to use "to facilitate" or "to enable" in formal writing?

Both "to facilitate" and "to enable" are appropriate for formal writing. "To facilitate" emphasizes easing a process, while "to enable" focuses on providing the means or opportunity for something to occur.