to seize

USAGE SUMMARY

The verb "to seize" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to take hold of someone or something suddenly and forcefully, or to take control of something in a forceful manner. For example, "The government seized the opportunity to pass new legislation quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He then began to seize".

The New Yorker

He needs to seize it.

The New York Times

Sanchez expects to seize his.

The New York Times - Sports

To seize the day.

The New York Times

And HUD is trying to seize it.

The Economist

Far better to seize the moment.

The New York Times

It was time to seize the moment.

The New York Times

So we need to seize the moment.

The New York Times

Wynegar expects him to seize the opportunity.

The New York Times - Sports

It was his moment to seize.

The New York Times

"But we have to seize it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to seize" when you want to convey a sense of urgency or decisiveness in taking an opportunity or action. For example, "They needed "to seize" the initiative to win the game".

Common error

While "to seize" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing where more nuanced verbs like "to utilize" or "to leverage" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to seize" is as an infinitive, often used to express purpose or intention. It acts as a verb within a larger clause, indicating the action of taking hold of something, whether literally or figuratively, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to seize" is a versatile infinitive used to convey decisive action, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Commonly found in "News & Media", it emphasizes taking control or advantage of opportunities. While grammatically correct and frequently used, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis, nuances in formality should be considered. For alternatives, consider "to take hold of" or "to capitalize on". Remember, effective writing involves choosing the most appropriate expression for the intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to capitalize on

Emphasizes exploiting an opportunity for benefit.

to take hold of

Focuses more on the physical action of grasping something.

to take advantage of

Similar to capitalizing, but can sometimes imply opportunism.

to grab

A more informal and direct way of saying to take quickly.

to secure

Suggests making something safe or certain by obtaining it.

to snatch

Implies taking something quickly and perhaps secretively.

to lay hold of

A more formal and somewhat archaic version of "to take hold of".

to appropriate

Implies taking something, often without permission or rightfully.

to commandeer

Suggests taking control of something, often for military or public use.

to usurp

Implies wrongfully seizing power or control.

FAQs

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

You can use "to seize" to describe taking hold of something physically or metaphorically, such as "to seize power" or "to seize an opportunity". It implies a forceful or decisive action.

What can I say instead of "to seize"?

You can use alternatives like "to take hold of", "to capitalize on", or "to take advantage of" depending on the context.

Is "to seize the day" an idiom?

Yes, "to seize the day" (carpe diem) is a well-known idiom that means to make the most of the present moment and not postpone enjoyment or opportunities.

Which is more formal, "to seize" or "to take"?

"To seize" generally carries a stronger and more forceful connotation than "to take", and it can be perceived as slightly more formal depending on the context. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.