to train

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to train" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb to indicate a process of teaching a person or group of people a particular skill or knowledge. For example, "The company held seminars to train their employees on the new software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm here to train".

The New York Times

"I'm willing to train them".

The New Yorker

We have to train people.

The New York Times

It was to train ministers.

The New York Times

Olympians plan to train there.

The Economist

You have to train that.

The New York Times - Sports

Dogs are costly to train.

The Economist

We're going to train them".

The New Yorker

He invited me to train.

The New York Times

There are ways to train yourself.

The New York Times

Will he have enough time to train?

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to train", clearly specify what is being trained. For example, instead of saying "He needs to train", specify "He needs to train for the marathon."

Common error

Avoid using "to train" as a noun. The correct noun form is "training". For example, instead of "He went to to train", say "He went to training."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to train" primarily functions as an infinitive verb. It indicates the purpose or intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

28%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to train" is a versatile and frequently used infinitive verb that expresses the intention of preparing oneself or others for a specific task or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for a wide range of contexts, from news articles to scientific publications. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to use the correct noun form, "training", and to specify what is being trained for increased clarity. With its widespread usage and clear meaning, "to train" remains a fundamental part of the English lexicon, and is deemed very common with 67 examples provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to undergo training

Focuses on the recipient of the training rather than the act of training itself.

to receive instruction

Emphasizes the act of being taught, which can include formal or informal settings.

to get coaching

Implies a more personalized and guided form of training.

to develop skills

Highlights the outcome of training, focusing on skill enhancement.

to hone abilities

Suggests refining existing skills to a higher level.

to acquire expertise

Focuses on gaining deep knowledge or skill in a particular area.

to learn the ropes

An idiomatic expression for learning basic procedures or skills.

to become proficient

Emphasizes the achievement of a high level of competence.

to prepare oneself

Focuses on self-directed learning and readiness.

to educate oneself

Highlights the aspect of gaining knowledge through study or instruction.

FAQs

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

The phrase "to train" is used to express the action of preparing someone or oneself for a task, competition, or role. For example, "I need to train harder for the upcoming race" or "The company needs "to train its employees" on the new software".

What are some alternatives to "to train"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to coach", "to instruct", "to educate", or "to prepare". Each of these words carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "training to" instead of "to train"?

The phrase "training to" can be grammatically correct depending on the sentence structure. For example, "He is training to become a doctor" is correct, while "He went to training to become a doctor" is not. The correct structure would be "He went to train to become a doctor".

What is the difference between "to train" and "to practice"?

"To train" generally implies preparing for a specific event or developing a skill, while "to practice" implies repeatedly performing an activity to improve proficiency. For example, you "to train" for a marathon, but you "to practice" playing the piano.