to plug

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to plug" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where one is promoting or recommending something, such as a product, service, or event. Example: "During the interview, she took a moment to plug her new book, which is set to be released next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I haven't got anything to plug.

The Guardian

He used the opportunity to plug Richard.

The New York Times - Sports

"They're just looking to plug a hole".

The New York Times

Don't forget to plug the T-shirts.

The New Yorker

I'm not going to plug my book?

The New York Times - Books

(We'll trust you not to plug a friend).

The New York Times

The administration told him to plug it back in.

The New York Times

I used food to plug up my feelings.

The New York Times - Style

"A warm, fuzzy area that was there to plug into".

The New York Times

Meanwhile, Lee rushed up reserves to plug the gap.

The New York Times - Books

Keen Ice did well to plug on for second.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to plug" in the context of promoting something, be mindful of your audience and ensure the promotion is relevant and valuable to them. Overuse can come across as pushy or insincere.

Common error

Avoid using "to plug" excessively when describing promotional activities. Vary your language with synonyms like "to promote", "to advertise", or "to highlight" to maintain audience engagement and prevent sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to plug" primarily functions as a verb, indicating an action of either filling something, as in plugging a hole, or promoting something, as seen in Ludwig's examples of "to plug the T-shirts".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to plug" is a versatile infinitive phrase commonly used in English. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Its primary functions include physically filling something or promoting a product or service. While generally acceptable in news and media, as well as professional contexts, it may be less appropriate for highly formal academic settings. When considering its usage, remember that while a common expression, it can be overused in the promotional sense, so varying your language might be wise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to connect

This alternative focuses on establishing a link or connection, similar to "to plug" in the context of electronics or networks.

to stop

This alternative emphasizes the action of blocking or sealing something, akin to plugging a hole or leak.

to promote

This alternative highlights the act of advertising or publicizing something, mirroring the promotional sense of "to plug".

to advertise

This alternative specifies the act of making something known generally in order to sell it.

to fill

This alternative centers on occupying a space or satisfying a need, analogous to plugging a gap or deficiency.

to seal

This alternative concentrates on closing something tightly, preventing leakage or access, much like plugging a container.

to block

This alternative underscores the act of obstructing or preventing passage, similar to plugging a passage or channel.

to patch

This alternative suggests mending or repairing something, akin to plugging a hole in a metaphorical sense.

to remedy

This alternative underlines the action of correcting a problem or deficiency, similar to plugging a weakness or flaw.

to cover

This alternative simply means to overlay something completely.

FAQs

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

You can use "to plug" in various contexts, such as "The engineer needed "to seal" the leak", or "The author used the interview "to promote" his new book."

What's a good alternative to "to plug" when promoting something?

Instead of "to plug", consider using "to advertise", "to promote", or "to showcase" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "to plug" in formal writing?

While "to plug" is acceptable in many contexts, it can sometimes sound informal, especially when referring to promoting something. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "to recommend" or "to endorse".

What does "to plug a gap" mean?

"To plug a gap" means "to fill" a void or deficiency, often in a metaphorical sense. For instance, "The new policy was designed "to remedy" a gap in the existing legislation".