was applicable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was applicable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is relevant or suitable for a particular situation or context. Example: "The new policy was applicable to all employees, ensuring that everyone followed the same guidelines."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He thought that whatever he said was applicable to everyone".

The Guardian - Books

The remark was applicable to the actor's vocal delivery both on stage and off.

The Guardian

"It was difficult to demonstrate how this was applicable to human welfare," said Fields.

The New York Times

The original agreement was applicable to any policing agency in Ferguson.

The Guardian

One assumes that publishers believe that this same reader beware was applicable to several other books published recently.

The New York Times - Books

The lawsuit challenged whether a 1999 law requiring disclosure of policies on protection of clients' privacy was applicable to lawyers.

The New York Times

Our philosophy was that we wanted to do stuff that everyone could see was applicable to their own homes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As a member of Nurse's lab, Melanie Lee proved that his work in yeast was applicable to humans, a revelation that captured the attention of the medical community.

The Guardian

He said that the new agreement was applicable to shows entering the West End but would not apply to current productions.

The New York Times

This was more than I learned in English 4W, but the concept was applicable to my creative writing — to all my schoolwork, too.

The New Yorker

Whereas Aristotelian logic was applicable to predicates (noun expressions) or classes, the Megarians specialized in a logic of whole propositions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was applicable to", ensure the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what "was applicable" and to what it applied.

Common error

Avoid using "was applicable to" when the context is too broad or lacks specific relevance. Ensure a direct connection exists between the subject and the situation to maintain clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was applicable to" functions as a linking phrase that establishes a relationship between a subject and a situation, indicating that the subject is relevant, suitable, or appropriate in that particular context. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment of correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was applicable to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that indicates relevance or suitability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a reliable phrase for establishing a connection between a subject and a situation across various domains. It appears most commonly in scientific and news contexts. While alternatives like "was relevant to" or "applied to" exist, "was applicable to" maintains a subtle nuance of inherent suitability. Therefore, its correct usage contributes to clarity and precision in writing, particularly in formal and scientific registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was relevant to

Replaces "applicable" with "relevant", emphasizing the pertinence of something to a particular situation.

was pertinent to

Substitutes "applicable" with "pertinent", indicating a direct and significant relevance.

was appropriate for

Uses "appropriate" instead of "applicable", highlighting the suitability of something for a specific context.

was suited for

Replaces "applicable" with "suited", focusing on the fitness or compatibility of something.

was fitting for

Similar to "suited for", but emphasizes the ideal match or correspondence.

was germane to

Employs "germane", suggesting a close and logical connection or relevance.

held true for

Indicates that something was valid or correct in a specific case.

applied to

A more concise phrasing, directly stating that something had an effect or relevance.

was designed for

Highlights that something was specifically created or intended for a particular use or situation.

was tailored to

Suggests that something was customized or adjusted to meet specific requirements.

FAQs

How can I use "was applicable to" in a sentence?

Use "was applicable to" to indicate that a rule, concept, or method had relevance or suitability in a particular situation. For example, "The new regulation "was applicable to" all employees hired after 2024".

What are some alternatives to "was applicable to"?

Alternatives include "was relevant to", "was appropriate for", or "applied to". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "was applicable to" or "applied to"?

Both phrases are correct, but "was applicable to" often implies a state of being relevant or suitable, while "applied to" suggests an action or direct implementation. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "was applicable to" and "was pertinent to"?

"Was applicable to" generally means something was suitable or relevant, while "was pertinent to" suggests something was directly and significantly related or relevant to the matter at hand. "Pertinent" implies a higher degree of importance.