to reinforce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to reinforce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of strengthening or supporting an idea, argument, or structure. Example: "The teacher used various activities to reinforce the concepts taught in class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's easier to reinforce".

The New York Times

Officers seemed to reinforce that impression, too.

The New York Times

We need to reinforce his mistake.

The Guardian

I want to reinforce it".

The New York Times - Sports

promises to reinforce this process.

The New York Times

He wants to reinforce the Atlantic alliance.

The New York Times

"We have to reinforce the positives".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You need immersion to reinforce them.

The New York Times

"To reinforce that is an abhorrent idea.

The Guardian

To reinforce this point Taco Bell renamed its tacos "tacostadas".

The Guardian - Opinion

But again, the data don't seem to reinforce this idea.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to reinforce" when you want to emphasize the act of strengthening an existing idea, structure, or behavior. For instance, "The new policy aims to reinforce ethical conduct among employees".

Common error

Avoid using "to reinforce" when the strengthening action is already implied. For example, instead of saying "to reinforce the already strong foundation", consider simply stating "to maintain the strong foundation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to reinforce" functions primarily as an infinitive verb phrase, typically used to express purpose or intention. Ludwig's examples show it consistently used to describe actions taken to strengthen, support, or confirm something, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to reinforce" is a very common and grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to convey the act of strengthening, supporting, or confirming something. Ludwig, based on numerous real-world examples, highlights its broad applicability across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific domains. While versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy by using it judiciously and being mindful of contexts where the act of strengthening is already implied. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is a valuable asset for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to strengthen

A more direct and simpler alternative, focusing on making something stronger.

to bolster

Implies providing support or encouragement to something wavering.

to fortify

Suggests adding protection or security to something.

to augment

Focuses on increasing something by adding to it.

to underscore

Means to emphasize or highlight something, often an idea or point.

to reaffirm

Indicates confirming something again, often after doubt.

to validate

Suggests confirming the truth or correctness of something.

to cement

Implies making something more solid or permanent.

to emphasize

Focuses on giving special importance or prominence to something.

to amplify

Means to increase the intensity or effect of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "to reinforce" to describe the action of strengthening or supporting something, such as "The new regulations are designed "to reinforce" safety standards".

What are some alternatives to "to reinforce"?

Alternatives include "to strengthen", "to bolster", or "to augment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "to reinforce" with words like "already" or "strong"?

Using "to reinforce" with words that already imply strength can be redundant. For example, saying "to reinforce the already strong foundation" can be simplified to "to maintain the strong foundation".

How does "to reinforce" differ from "to emphasize"?

"To reinforce" implies adding strength or support, while "to emphasize" means to give special importance or prominence. You reinforce a structure, but you emphasize a point.