to tackle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to tackle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of addressing or dealing with a problem, challenge, or task. Example: "We need to tackle the issue of climate change with urgency and determination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But how to tackle it?

Independent

"We've got to tackle that.

The Guardian

Five problems to tackle 1.

Independent

The easiest to tackle is safety.

The Economist

He's not easy to tackle, either.

The New York Times

"We're trying to tackle that model".

The New York Times

"We need to tackle this head on".

The New York Times

So how to tackle the Pumas?

Independent

And she also started to tackle corruption.

The Economist

A counter-extremism bill to tackle radicalisation.

The Guardian

He also failed to tackle corruption.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to tackle" when you want to convey a sense of directness and effort in addressing a problem or task. It's more forceful than "to address" and less aggressive than "to combat".

Common error

While "to tackle" is widely accepted, avoid using it excessively in formal academic writing. Opt for more nuanced alternatives like "to address", "to analyze", or "to investigate" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to tackle" primarily functions as a verbal, often serving as part of a larger verb phrase. It indicates an action that needs to be taken, expressing intent or necessity. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is indeed correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

23%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to tackle" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed infinitive phrase, primarily functioning as a verbal to indicate an action of addressing a problem or challenge. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its register is generally neutral to professional, widely found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. When writing, remember that while "to tackle" conveys directness, more nuanced alternatives like "to address" or "to investigate" might be more suitable in formal academic settings. "To tackle" means addressing something with determination and some effort, and remember to avoid overusing this expression, consider carefully its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to deal with

A more general term for handling a situation or problem.

to handle

Suggests managing or controlling a situation effectively.

to address

Focuses on speaking or writing about something, often a problem.

to manage

Focuses on being in charge and directing resources to solve a problem.

to confront

Implies facing a challenge directly and often aggressively.

to solve

Highlights the act of finding an answer or solution.

to resolve

Emphasizes finding a solution to a problem or conflict.

to overcome

Suggests successfully defeating an obstacle or difficulty.

to combat

Implies actively fighting against a problem or enemy.

to mitigate

Focuses on reducing the severity or impact of something negative.

FAQs

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

The phrase "to tackle" is generally used to describe the act of addressing or dealing with a problem, issue, or task with determination. For example, "The government needs "to tackle" the issue of climate change effectively."

What are some alternatives to "to tackle"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to address", "to handle", "to confront", or "to resolve". Each of these alternatives carries a slightly different nuance.

Which is correct, "to tackle" or "tackling"?

Both "to tackle" and "tackling" can be correct, but they serve different grammatical roles. "To tackle" is the infinitive form and is often used after auxiliary verbs (e.g., "need to tackle"). "Tackling" is the gerund or present participle and can function as a noun or part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "Tackling the problem head-on is essential.").

What's the difference between "to tackle" and "to address"?

While both phrases imply dealing with something, "to tackle" suggests a more vigorous and direct approach, often implying overcoming an obstacle. "To address", on the other hand, is generally more neutral and focuses on giving attention to a matter. You might "tackle" a crisis, but "address" a concern.