to stockpile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to stockpile" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of accumulating or gathering a large quantity of something, often in preparation for future use. Example: "In anticipation of the storm, many residents decided to stockpile essential supplies like food and water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Is it appropriate to stockpile it?

The New York Times - Health

"He's not one to stockpile kids.

The New York Times - Sports

"Is it appropriate to stockpile two million doses?

The New York Times - Health

"I prefer to stockpile for the summer.

The Guardian - Sport

Government advice remains not to stockpile.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Another option may be to stockpile for dormant grazing.

Cornell University

"He's not telling people to stockpile water and dehydrated food.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is also requiring countries to stockpile gas.

The Economist

The Chinese tend not to stockpile their booty.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The markets are emptying, we need to stockpile food.

The Guardian - Books

Her fans were right to stockpile the flowers.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to stockpile" when you want to emphasize the act of accumulating a substantial amount of something, usually in anticipation of future need or scarcity. For instance, "The company decided "to stockpile" raw materials due to concerns about potential supply chain disruptions."

Common error

Avoid using "to stockpile" when a simpler term like 'to buy' or 'to collect' suffices. "To stockpile" implies a strategic accumulation, not just casual gathering. For example, instead of saying "I "to stockpile" books," say "I collect books."

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to stockpile" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often indicating a planned action of accumulating a significant quantity of something. This is supported by Ludwig examples, showcasing its use in various contexts from preparing for emergencies to managing resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to stockpile" is a versatile infinitive phrase widely used to describe the act of accumulating a significant amount of something, often as a strategic preparation for future needs or potential crises. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as academic and business settings. While closely related to terms like "to hoard" and "to accumulate", "to stockpile" carries a connotation of planned, rational accumulation rather than excessive or irrational gathering. When writing, use "to stockpile" to emphasize strategic preparation, and avoid it in contexts where simple accumulation is meant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to accumulate reserves

Emphasizes building up a store for future use.

to amass a supply

Focuses on gathering a significant quantity of something.

to keep a reserve

Emphasizes the act of holding back a portion for later use.

to build up a store

Highlights the gradual process of increasing one's stock.

to lay in a stock

Suggests preparing for future needs by obtaining supplies.

to store away

Highlights the act of putting items in a safe place for future retrieval.

to gather a collection

Implies a deliberate assembling of items.

to hoard resources

Suggests accumulating resources excessively and potentially selfishly.

to maintain an inventory

Focuses on managing and keeping track of existing supplies.

to accumulate a hoard

Focuses on gathering wealth or valuables often secretly.

FAQs

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

You can use "to stockpile" to describe accumulating a large quantity of something, often as a precaution. For example: "The government urged citizens "to stockpile" essential supplies in case of a natural disaster."

What are some alternatives to "to stockpile"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to accumulate", "to amass", "to hoard", or "to store up".

When is it appropriate to use "to stockpile" instead of "to buy"?

"To stockpile" suggests accumulating a large quantity in anticipation of future needs, scarcity, or an emergency. "To buy" is a more general term for acquiring something. Use "to stockpile" when the accumulation is strategic and precautionary, not just a regular purchase.

Is "to stockpile" the same as "to hoard"?

While both involve accumulating items, "to stockpile" generally implies a more rational and strategic accumulation for a specific purpose, while "to hoard" often suggests an excessive, irrational accumulation, sometimes driven by anxiety or compulsion. Stockpiling is often done by governments or organizations, while hoarding is more often associated with individuals.