to institute

USAGE SUMMARY

"to institute" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of formally establishing or introducing something. For example, "New policies were instituted to ensure the safety of the workers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rieger decided to institute the boycott.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The people want to institute Islamic law!

The New York Times

The city decided to institute rolling brownouts.

The New York Times

This afternoon he offers a master class to institute participants.

The New York Times

Obviously, we will need to institute better security measures.

The New York Times

Two events inspired baseball to institute this system.

The New York Times - Sports

They were ordered to institute parental controls on their internet.

The Guardian

So she decides to institute a monthlong transition period.

The New York Times

ONE proposal is to institute a floating share price.

The New York Times

The move to institute food taxes in Hungary began ambitiously.

The New York Times

This alone is reason enough to institute it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to institute", ensure the context clearly indicates a formal or official establishment. Consider whether a less formal alternative like "to start" or "to begin" might be more appropriate for less official situations.

Common error

Avoid using "to institute" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted when a simpler verb would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to institute" functions primarily as an infinitive verb phrase, often serving as a purpose infinitive. Ludwig AI indicates it describes formally establishing or initiating something. As seen in examples, it connects a subject's action with the aim of starting a new policy, system, or rule.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to institute" is a formal and frequently used expression that communicates the act of establishing or initiating something. Ludwig AI and examples from Ludwig highlight its prevalence in news, scientific, and business contexts. When writing, reserve "to institute" for official or formal situations where you want to convey the creation of a new policy, system, or rule. Be mindful of the register, as overusing it in casual contexts can sound unnatural. For more informal settings, consider simpler alternatives like "to start" or "to begin".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to implement

Focuses on putting a plan or system into effect, often implying a practical application.

to establish

Emphasizes creating a lasting foundation or structure.

to initiate

Highlights the beginning or starting point of an action or process.

to launch

Implies a formal and often public introduction of something new.

to introduce

Focuses on bringing something new to a particular environment or setting.

to enact

Specifically refers to making a law or rule officially valid.

to constitute

Highlights the act of formally creating or composing something.

to set up

Implies organizing or arranging something for a specific purpose.

to put in place

Emphasizes the act of establishing something within a system or organization.

to get going

An informal alternative, suggesting starting or beginning a process.

FAQs

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

"To institute" is used to describe the act of formally establishing or introducing something, for example, "The company decided "to institute" a new dress code policy".

What are some alternatives to "to institute"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to implement", "to establish", or "to initiate".

Is "to institute" formal or informal?

"To institute" is considered a formal phrase. In informal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives such as "to start" or "to begin".

What is the difference between "to institute" and "to implement"?

"To institute" suggests formally establishing something, while "to implement" focuses on putting an existing plan or system into effect. You institute a rule and then implement it.