to hire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to hire" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of employing someone for a job or task. Example: "We are looking to hire a new marketing manager to lead our team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Few companies want to hire.

The New York Times

Companies are slow to hire.

The New York Times

To hire a guide: guideverbier.com.

Independent

Need to hire?

Harvard University

There aren't any more to hire".

The New Yorker

Hell, somebody's got to hire them.

The New York Times

He would need to hire people.

The New Yorker

Rennard had to hire an attorney.

The New Yorker

Nobody can force farmers to hire felons.

The Economist

He was desperate to hire caseworkers.

The New York Times

Fox were desperate to hire her.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the position, make sure you follow "to hire" with action verbs to give more direction to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "to hire" without a clearly defined object (person or thing). It's important to specify who or what is being hired to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to hire" primarily functions as an infinitive, often acting as a verb complement or expressing purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates the act of employing someone or securing services. Examples from Ludwig show its use in sentences like, "They're starting to hire temporary workers."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

14%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to hire" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, primarily indicating the act of employing someone or securing services, according to Ludwig's many examples. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for a broad range of contexts, from news reports and academic papers to general conversation. While versatile, it's important to provide enough context to avoid confusion between employing someone and renting something, as suggested by Ludwig's best practice tips. When considered other options available such as "to employ" or "to recruit", pick what fits better your intentions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to employ

A more formal synonym for hiring, often used in official contexts.

to recruit

Emphasizes the process of actively seeking out and attracting potential employees.

to take on

Implies adding someone to a team or organization.

to bring on board

Suggests integrating a new member into an existing structure.

to engage

Can refer to hiring someone for a specific task or project.

to appoint

Suggests a more formal or official selection process.

to commission

Implies hiring someone to create or perform a specific piece of work.

to secure the services of

A more formal and indirect way of saying "to hire".

to contract

Refers to hiring someone under a contractual agreement.

to onboard

Focuses on the process of integrating a new hire into a company or team.

FAQs

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

You can use "to hire" in a sentence to indicate employing someone for a job, as in "We plan "to hire" a new marketing manager" or "They are looking "to hire" a skilled technician".

What are some alternatives to "to hire"?

Some alternatives to "to hire" include "to employ", "to recruit", "to take on", or "to bring on board". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "to hire" formal or informal?

"To hire" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal situations, "to employ" might be preferred.

When should I use "to hire" versus "to rent"?

Use "to hire" when referring to employing a person for work. Use "to rent" when referring to the temporary use of a physical object, such as a car or apartment.