to outline

USAGE SUMMARY

"to outline" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the process of providing a general overview of a topic, often with some brief details or examples. For example, "I will use this presentation to outline the main points of my argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The goals are easy to outline.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is what this paper sets out to outline.

The Guardian

Labour needs to outline its strategy for the deficit.

The Guardian - Opinion

But I am not going to outline more specifics".

The Guardian

The ridges were rectilinear and seemed to outline doorways.

The New Yorker

Mr. Putin has yet to outline a detailed economic program.

The New York Times

Mr. Green declined to outline a specific plan for housing.

The New York Times

Paddy went on to outline his cunning plan.

The Guardian

Mr. Bush continued to outline his counterstrategy today.

The New York Times

Abbott was also asked to outline the benchmarks for success.

The Guardian

Perhaps it is simpler to outline what Stokes cannot do.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to outline" when you need to present a structured overview, highlighting the key elements without going into excessive detail.

Common error

Avoid including too much detail when using "to outline". The purpose is to provide a general overview, not a comprehensive analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to outline" primarily functions as an infinitive verb phrase. It indicates the action of providing a general summary or structure of something, as evidenced by the many examples Ludwig provides, where it is used to introduce plans, strategies, or overviews.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

27%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to outline" is a versatile and frequently used infinitive phrase that serves to introduce a structured overview or summary of a topic. According to Ludwig, it's considered grammatically correct and finds its primary use in contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Wiki, with a neutral register that makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. To ensure clarity and conciseness, it's best used to present key elements without excessive detail. Related alternatives include "to summarize", "to delineate", and "to draft", each offering slightly different nuances in meaning. As Ludwig AI confirms, using "to outline" effectively sets the stage for a more comprehensive understanding of the topic at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to summarize

Focuses specifically on condensing information, often implying brevity.

to delineate

Emphasizes clear and precise definition of boundaries or features.

to present an overview

Highlights the act of giving a general summary of a topic.

to draft

Suggests a preliminary version or sketch, often implying further development.

to sketch out

Implies a rough or initial presentation of something, lacking in detail.

to lay out

Suggests arranging or organizing elements in a clear and accessible manner.

to detail

Refers to listing elements or aspects in an organized way.

to give the highlights

Focuses on presenting the most important or notable aspects.

to encapsulate

Implies capturing the essence or main idea in a concise form.

to map out

Suggests creating a plan or strategy, often with a visual representation.

FAQs

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

You can use "to outline" to introduce a summary or a plan, such as in "I'm going to outline the project's main goals" or "This presentation will outline the key findings".

What are some alternatives to "to outline"?

Alternatives include "to summarize", "to delineate", or "to draft", depending on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to "outline" or "to outline"?

While "outline" can function as a verb, using "to outline" is the infinitive form, which is often preferable when used with auxiliary verbs or in certain grammatical constructions. Both are generally acceptable but can have different connotations depending on sentence structure.

What's the difference between "to outline" and "to detail"?

"To outline" provides a general overview or structure, while "to detail" involves presenting specific facts or information. Outlining is about breadth, whereas detailing is about depth.