Browse all

put to

B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

To ask someone a serious question or give them a task; or to use something for a particular purpose.

Meanings

1 B2 formal

To present a question, proposal, or decision to someone or a group.

"The matter was put to the committee, who voted in favor of the proposal."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral

To use something for a specific purpose (often 'put to use' or 'put to good use').

"All those old textbooks were finally put to good use when she started tutoring."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 neutral

To make someone start working or to put someone in a difficult situation.

"As soon as they arrived, the children were put to work peeling vegetables."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Used in formal and neutral registers. 'Put to the vote' means to ask people to vote on something. 'Put to use' means to use something productively. 'Put to work' means to make someone start working. 'Put to sleep' has a gentle euphemistic meaning in the context of euthanizing animals.

Commonly used with

vote use work sleep test question

Forms

Base
put to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puts to
he/she/it
Past simple
put to
yesterday
Past participle
put to
have + pp
-ing form
putting to
continuous

Understand "put to" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Synonyms

submit to apply to present to assign to subject to

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "put to" on Looplines