we have appropriated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we have appropriated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been taken or used for a specific purpose, often without permission or in a way that may be considered controversial. Example: "In our latest project, we have appropriated elements from various cultures to create a unique design that reflects diversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"We have appropriated too many Moslem countries for them to have any real trust in our disinterestedness," Lawrence wrote in 1916.

The New York Times - Books

For centuries we have appropriated stories for our own use, reformatting them to fit our age, geography, cultural norms and literary styles.

Huffington Post

"I think the great lesson of this era is that what we have appropriated as jazz in the United States is actually about a greater story that is not about national ownership.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I think the university can be a fine university living within the funds that we've appropriated," Brown said.

Los Angeles Times

"This capacity is not there yet and would not be if we had appropriated the money, but the current outbreak reminds us that we need to be prepared".

Huffington Post

On a financial level, we are facing a crippling depression not seen since the 1930s, yet in fiscal year 2011, we had appropriated over $400 billion for war contractors to do the work our servicemen could.

Huffington Post

He also urged UC leaders to find ways to cut expenses, saying, "I think the university can be a fine university living within the funds that we've appropriated".

Los Angeles Times

"We are confident we have appropriate policies.

The New York Times

"As far as we are aware, we have appropriate consent for any private phone calls that appear in the series".

The Guardian

This means: we make sure that we have appropriate security measures to protect your information; and we make sure that when we ask another organisation to provide a service for us, they have appropriate security measures.

The Guardian

"This extends to our stance around cyber-security and while it is not appropriate to go into detail, we work very closely with our regulator and other agencies to ensure that we have appropriate, 'in depth' protection measures in place to safeguard information" she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we have appropriated", consider the connotations of the word 'appropriate'. Ensure the context clarifies whether the appropriation is ethical and justified, or if it raises concerns about cultural sensitivity or intellectual property.

Common error

Avoid using "we have appropriated" without providing context. The term can be ambiguous. Clearly state from where the material was taken and how it's being used to avoid misunderstandings or accusations of plagiarism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have appropriated" functions as a declarative statement, typically used to describe a collective action of taking or adopting something for a specific purpose. Ludwig examples show its presence in various contexts, from cultural references to resource allocation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we have appropriated" is used to express that a group has taken something for its own use, often implying that the act could be questionable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and notes its appearance in diverse sources. While the phrase isn't overly common, it's important to use it with awareness of its potential connotations, especially in sensitive cultural or ethical contexts. Related phrases like "we have adopted" or "we have utilized" might be more appropriate depending on the intent. Clear context is essential to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we have adopted

Focuses on the act of taking something and making it one's own, often implying acceptance and integration.

we have taken

A general term for acquiring something, lacking the nuance of "appropriated".

we have utilized

Highlights the practical use of something that was acquired.

we have borrowed

Implies a temporary taking, suggesting eventual return or acknowledgement of origin.

we have assumed

Suggests taking on a responsibility or role, rather than a physical object.

we have seized

Implies a forceful or opportunistic taking of something.

we have commandeered

Suggests taking control of something for a specific purpose, often temporarily.

we have requisitioned

Indicates formally requesting and obtaining something for official use.

we have co-opted

Implies using something for a purpose different from its original intent, often for personal gain.

we have expropriated

Indicates the government taking private property for public use.

FAQs

What does "we have appropriated" mean?

The phrase "we have appropriated" means that a group has taken something, often without permission, and used it for their own purposes. The term can imply that the action is questionable or controversial depending on context.

What can I say instead of "we have appropriated"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "we have adopted", "we have taken", or "we have utilized" to express a similar idea.

How can I use "we have appropriated" in a sentence?

You can use "we have appropriated" to describe the act of taking something and using it. For example, "We have appropriated elements from different musical traditions to create our new song."

What's the difference between "we have appropriated" and "we have borrowed"?

"We have appropriated" suggests taking something more definitively, potentially without permission or acknowledgement. "We have borrowed" implies a temporary taking with the intention of returning it or acknowledging the source.