Phrasal verb
apply to
Meanings
to make an official request to be considered for a job, position, course, or program
to be relevant to; to affect or be true for a particular person, thing, or situation
Definition
To apply to means to make an official request for something or to say that a rule or situation is relevant to someone or something.
Apply to is commonly used when you formally request a job, course, or program by sending an application. It can also mean that a rule, statement, or situation is true for or affects a particular person or thing. In this second meaning, it answers the question “Who/what does this relate to?”
Examples
- I applied to the marketing internship last night.
- You should apply to three schools to keep your options open.
- She applied to a volunteer program in her neighborhood.
- They applied to the university as international students.
Common mistake
Learners often say “apply for a job” when they mean the company, but you apply to a company/organization and apply for a job/position.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.