to fortify

USAGE SUMMARY

"to fortify" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to strengthen or make something stronger, especially for defense. Example: The army strategically placed guards and built walls to fortify the city against potential invasions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Reich is trying to fortify the standard case for redistribution.

The New York Times - Books

Tungsten is used to fortify steel for cars.

The Economist

Nutrigenomics could raise questions about policies to fortify foods.

The New York Times - Health

So the butler was trying to fortify his own position.

The Guardian - Opinion

One focus is finding ways to fortify cockpit doors.

The New York Times

Even then, it did not offer details that other companies could use to fortify their systems.

The New York Times - Tech

Hiroki Kuroda, signed in January to fortify the starting rotation, pitched masterly.

The New York Times - Sports

She was pointing a finger at problems, suggesting solutions and generating dance music to fortify everyone.

The New York Times - Arts

She took two rapid-fire puffs on her cigarette, as though to fortify herself.

The New Yorker

"On the contrary, it only serves to fortify my conviction that the truth will eventually prevail.

The New York Times

Their job has certainly been made harder by the Ugandans' efforts to fortify the border.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to fortify" when you want to convey the idea of strengthening something against potential threats or weaknesses. It's particularly useful in contexts where defense or resilience is important.

Common error

Avoid using "to fortify" in overly casual conversations. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in everyday settings. Consider using more common alternatives like "to strengthen" or "to reinforce" in less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to fortify" is as an infinitive verb expressing purpose. It indicates the intention or goal behind an action, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples where actions are taken in order to fortify something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to fortify" is a versatile phrase used to express the purpose of strengthening or reinforcing something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While suitable for neutral to formal settings like news, science, and professional writing, overuse in informal contexts should be avoided. Alternatives such as "to strengthen" or "to reinforce" may be more appropriate in casual conversations. With a strong presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Economist, "to fortify" remains a valuable addition to one's vocabulary for conveying the intention of enhancement and protection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to strengthen

Focuses on increasing the power or resilience of something.

to bolster

Suggests providing support or encouragement to improve stability.

to reinforce

Emphasizes adding extra support to something, highlighting the act of strengthening it.

to consolidate

Focuses on making something stronger or more secure, especially a position or power.

to reinforce security

Specifically highlights strengthening measures to protect against threats.

to shore up

Suggests providing temporary support to prevent collapse or weakening.

to build up

Emphasizes gradual strengthening through accumulation or development.

to enhance

Implies improving the quality, value, or extent of something.

to augment

Indicates increasing something by adding to it.

to underpin

Highlights providing a solid foundation or support for something.

FAQs

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

You can use "to fortify" to describe strengthening something against attack or to enhance its qualities. For example, "The general ordered his troops "to fortify" the city's defenses" or "The company decided "to fortify" its market position with a new advertising campaign."

What are some alternatives to using "to fortify"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "to strengthen", "to reinforce", "to bolster", or "to enhance" as alternatives to "to fortify".

Is "to fortify" a formal expression?

Yes, "to fortify" is generally considered a formal expression. It's more common in professional writing, news reports, and academic contexts than in casual conversation.

What is the difference between "to fortify" and "to strengthen"?

"To fortify" often implies strengthening something against a specific threat or weakness, while "to strengthen" is a more general term for making something stronger. For example, you might "to fortify" a border against invasion or "to strengthen" a muscle through exercise.