to optimize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to optimize" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of making something as effective or functional as possible. Example: "We need to optimize our website's loading speed to improve user experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ashima is trying to optimize.

The New Yorker

How are you going to optimize those?

The New York Times

You have to optimize for both.

The New York Times

"Automation gives you an opportunity to optimize the settings".

The Guardian

"And we really wanted to optimize the view".

The New York Times

I want to optimize one of the segments.

The New Yorker

In the real world what people have to optimize to is low cost".

The New York Times - Science

Throughout the shooting and postproduction, state-of-the-art techniques were used to optimize picture quality.

The New York Times

The fabled power lunch was another innovation designed to optimize food-fuelled productivity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I just tell them to optimize their choices to be exposed to growth.

The New York Times

Families pull out all the stops to optimize their children's scores.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to optimize", clearly define what aspect you are trying to improve. For example, specify "to optimize website loading speed" instead of just "to optimize".

Common error

Avoid using "to optimize" without specifying the target. Saying "we need to optimize" is vague. Instead, clarify what needs improvement, such as "we need "to optimize the customer experience"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to optimize" functions as an infinitive of purpose, often indicating the reason or goal behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and versatile. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, highlighting its role in expressing intent to improve or perfect something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to optimize" serves as an infinitive of purpose, indicating an intent to improve or perfect something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in news, science, and formal business contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. To use the phrase effectively, specify what you are trying to improve. While alternatives like "to enhance" or "to maximize" exist, "to optimize" implies finding the best balance. Be aware of overgeneralization and clarify your target when using "to optimize". Common authoritative sources that use the phrase are The New York Times, The New Yorker and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to improve efficiency

Specifically targets making something more efficient, often in terms of resource usage.

to streamline

Focuses on simplifying processes to make them more efficient.

to maximize

Emphasizes achieving the greatest possible amount or degree.

to enhance

Highlights improving the quality, value, or attractiveness of something.

to fine-tune

Suggests making small adjustments to achieve the best possible performance.

to perfect

Implies reaching a state of flawlessness or the highest possible standard.

to boost

Concentrates on increasing or strengthening something, often in a sudden or significant way.

to refine

Indicates making subtle improvements to something already of high quality.

to hone

Suggests sharpening or perfecting a skill or talent.

to amplify

Focuses on increasing the intensity or effect of something.

FAQs

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

Use "to optimize" to describe the process of making something as effective, perfect, or useful as possible. For example, "The company aims "to optimize resource allocation" for better efficiency".

What's a good substitute for "to optimize"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "to enhance", "to improve", or "to maximize". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "to optimize" or "to maximize"?

Both "to optimize" and "to maximize" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "To optimize" implies finding the best balance or most effective solution, while "to maximize" means increasing something to the greatest possible extent. For example, you might "to optimize fuel efficiency", but "to maximize profit".

What does it mean "to optimize" something in computer science?

In computer science, "to optimize" means to modify a system or algorithm to make it work more efficiently, using fewer resources (such as time, memory, or energy). For example, programmers often "to optimize code" to reduce execution time.