to flourish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to flourish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something thriving, growing, or developing in a healthy or vigorous way. Example: "With the right support and resources, the community began to flourish, showcasing its talents and creativity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The thriller continued to flourish.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Town life continued to flourish.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She allows creativity to flourish".

The New York Times - Arts

"It allows corruption to flourish".

The New York Times

Solidarity continued to flourish in the underground.

Independent

Latin American filmmakers continued to flourish.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To flourish, Futaba needed the plant".

The New York Times

Stability has allowed local trade to flourish.

The Economist

Democracy and liberalisation seemed to flourish.

The Economist

Meanwhile, Spain's sex trade continues to flourish.

Independent

Others are waiting to flourish Dadullah's Kalashnikovs.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to flourish", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning of thriving or developing successfully. For instance, "The arts began to flourish" suggests a cultural or creative boom, whereas "The business began to flourish" implies financial success.

Common error

Avoid using "to flourish" in contexts where simpler terms like "to grow" or "to succeed" would be more appropriate and direct. Overusing the term can sometimes sound overly formal or pretentious, especially in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to flourish" typically functions as a verb complement or as an adverbial modifier expressing purpose or result. It describes the intended outcome or consequence of an action, aligning with Ludwig's examples of things thriving and growing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to flourish" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive phrase that signifies thriving, growing, or developing successfully. According to Ludwig, it appears most commonly in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts. While versatile, it's important to use the phrase where its nuance of vibrant growth is most appropriate, avoiding overuse in simpler contexts. Alternatives like "to thrive" or "to prosper" can offer similar meanings depending on the specific intent. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English and helps convey a sense of positive development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to thrive

This alternative directly replaces "flourish" with a synonym emphasizing vigorous growth and prosperity.

to thrive and prosper

Combines two similar verbs to strongly emphasize both growth and success.

to prosper

Focuses on financial success and well-being, a common aspect of flourishing.

to develop and grow

Emphasizes the process of development and expansion.

to reach its full potential

Shifts the focus to achieving maximum capability and development.

to burgeon

Indicates rapid and vigorous growth, often in the early stages.

to bloom

Uses a floral metaphor to describe a period of great beauty, health and strength.

to reach new heights

Suggests achieving a higher level of success or development.

to expand

Focuses on increasing in size, scope, or influence.

to take off

Implies a sudden and rapid increase in success or popularity.

FAQs

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

The phrase "to flourish" is used to describe thriving, growing, or developing successfully. For example, "With the right support, the community began "to flourish"" or "The business needed investment "to flourish"".

What can I say instead of "to flourish"?

You can use alternatives like "to thrive", "to prosper", or "to bloom" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to flourish" or "to flurish"?

"To flourish" is the correct spelling. "To flurish" is a misspelling and should be avoided.

What's the difference between "to flourish" and "to succeed"?

"To flourish" implies a state of vibrant growth and overall well-being, while "to succeed" primarily focuses on achieving a specific goal or outcome. Something can succeed without necessarily flourishing.