to strengthen

USAGE SUMMARY

"to strengthen" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey the idea of making something stronger or increasing its power or intensity. For example: "I'm going to attend a yoga class every day this week to strengthen my body."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have to strengthen it.

The New York Times

"We have to strengthen her.

The New York Times

You need to strengthen it.

Independent

We will need to strengthen".

Independent

He sought to strengthen the armed forces.

The Economist

Mr Martin also plans to strengthen defence.

The Economist

It's good to strengthen your feet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The finances are there to strengthen.

Independent

She helped to strengthen the safeguards.

The New York Times

We have worked to strengthen the opposition.

The New York Times

Way to strengthen your bargaining position, guys.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to strengthen", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being made stronger. For instance, specify whether you aim to strengthen a skill, a relationship, or a system.

Common error

Avoid using "to strengthen" without specifying the area of focus. Saying "We need to strengthen" is vague; instead, clarify with "We need to strengthen our marketing strategy" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to strengthen" serves as an infinitive of purpose. It indicates the reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage, showcasing numerous examples where it clarifies the aim of a preceding clause.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

23%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Huffington Post

7%

BBC

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to strengthen" functions as an infinitive of purpose, commonly used to express the intention of making something more robust or effective. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to wiki articles and formal business communications. While versatile, it's important to specify what exactly is being strengthened to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "to reinforce", "to bolster", and "to enhance" can add nuance, depending on the intended meaning. Proper usage involves clearly defining the object being strengthened and choosing alternatives that precisely match the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to reinforce

Emphasizes the act of adding extra support to something, often a structure or system.

to bolster

Suggests providing support or encouragement, often to confidence or morale.

to fortify

Implies making something more resistant to attack or damage, both physically and metaphorically.

to enhance

Focuses on improving the quality or value of something.

to amplify

Suggests increasing the intensity or magnitude of something.

to intensify

Highlights making something more acute or pronounced.

to consolidate

Implies making something more solid or secure.

to deepen

Suggests increasing the depth or intensity of a feeling, understanding, or relationship.

to augment

Focuses on adding to something in order to improve it.

to build up

Implies a gradual process of increasing strength or size.

FAQs

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

You can use "to strengthen" to express the action of making something stronger or more effective. For example, "The government is implementing new policies "to strengthen the economy"".

What are some alternatives to "to strengthen"?

Alternatives to "to strengthen" include "to reinforce", "to bolster", or "to enhance", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "to strengthen" or "to make stronger"?

"To strengthen" is generally more concise and direct. "To make stronger" is also grammatically correct, but it can sometimes sound less formal or elegant. The best choice depends on the tone and style of your writing.

What's the difference between "to strengthen" and "to improve"?

"To strengthen" implies making something more robust or resilient, while "to improve" suggests making something better in quality or condition. You might use "to strengthen" when referring to a muscle or a defense system, and "to improve" when discussing a process or a product.