Establish in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice

Establish means to set something up so that it lasts, or to prove that a fact is true. To use establish in a sentence, name what is created or shown: “The school established a chess club in 2010.” The verb suits institutions, rules, facts and reputations, and it takes its object directly.

Establish at a glance

• Establish is a verb meaning to set up permanently or to prove true.
• The common patterns are establish + institution and establish that + clause.
• Its forms are establishes, established, establishing and establishment.
• It suits formal writing about organisations, rules and evidence.
• The commonest error is adding up, as in establish up a company.

What does establish mean?

Establish is a verb meaning to set something up so that it lasts, to prove that something is true, or to make something accepted. The Cambridge entry for establish records these senses, and they divide into creating and confirming. The proof sense is easy to miss: in a report, to establish a fact means to confirm it beyond doubt, which is a different job from starting something new.

Establish is not a synonym for start in every case, and it is not for feelings. A single chat does not establish a habit, and a single success does not establish a trend, because the verb suggests something lasting and secure. For a quick beginning, start or set up is plainer; for an opinion you cannot prove, show or suggest is safer. The verb also sounds heavy when it describes a small, casual act.

How do you use establish in a sentence?

Establish has one large family of uses and a second, tighter family for proof. Six patterns cover almost every real sentence. The two families share the same form, so the object after the verb tells you which one is at work.

Establish in a sentence: examples across contexts

Establish carries the same weight across a company memo and a lab report, and the sentence changes only in what it puts after the verb. The examples below move from a classroom to an inquiry, and each one shows whether the word is creating something or proving it.

Establish vs found

Establish and found overlap when an institution is created, and they separate everywhere else. Found is the single act of starting something; establish covers the lasting result and the proof of a fact.

Verdict: use found for the single act of starting an institution, and establish for building something that lasts or for proving a fact.

Word forms and grammar of establish

Establish inflects regularly, and its adjective established and noun establishment are common enough to look like separate words. The table also flags the spelling pattern that trips learners in the longer forms.

Common mistakes with establish

• Incorrect: We will establish up a new club. Correct: We will establish a new club. Rule: Establish takes its object directly; up belongs with set up.
• Incorrect: She established that she was tired. Correct: She said that she was tired. Rule: Establish is for provable facts, not feelings or opinions.
• Incorrect: The rules were establish last year. Correct: The rules were established last year. Rule: After be, use the past participle established.
• Incorrect: The report established about the cause. Correct: The report established the cause. Rule: Establish takes its object directly, with no about.

Practice using establish

Work through the six items, then check the reason rather than only the answer.

1. Fill the gap: The college hopes to ______ a scholarship fund next year.
2. Choose the better word: The team wants to (found / establish) that the error was not theirs.
3. Correct the error: They plan to establish up a new department.
4. Build a sentence: use establish that about proving a fact in a report.
5. Spot the register: which belongs in a formal inquiry, the inquiry established that the alarm had failed, or they found out the alarm was broken?
6. Rewrite with the noun: They established the charity in 1990. Use establishment instead.

Answers

1. establish — the object is the thing being set up to last.
2. establish — proving a fact takes the proof sense, which found does not have.
3. They plan to establish a new department — establish takes its object directly, with no up.
4. Model answer: The tests establish that the water is safe to drink.
5. The inquiry established that the alarm had failed — a formal inquiry keeps the precise verb and the that-clause.
6. The establishment of the charity dates from 1990 — the noun needs a determiner.

The bottom line

Use establish in a sentence when something is being made permanent or a fact is being proved, and name the thing created or shown. Two nuances decide most sentences: the verb takes its object directly, so up belongs with set up and not with establish, and for the proof sense the pattern establish that is the natural frame. When you mean simply to begin, found or set up may be the more exact word.

Frequently asked questions about establish

Is establish a formal word?

Establish is neutral enough for everyday use and common in formal writing about organisations, rules and evidence. It sounds heavier than set up, so a text message would say set up a group, while a policy document would say establish a committee. Both are correct.

What is the difference between establish and found?

Found means to start an institution for the first time, as in found a school. Establish means to set something up so that it lasts, and it also means to prove a fact. Use found for the single act of starting and establish for building something secure.

Can establish mean to prove?

Yes. When the object is a fact, establish means to prove it beyond doubt: the inquiry established that the alarm had failed. The proof sense is common in reports and research, and it pairs naturally with the pattern establish that plus a clause.

Do you say establish or establish up?

Say establish, with no up. The phrasal verb is set up, so establishing a company is correct and establishing up a company is not. The two verbs overlap in meaning, which is why the extra particle is a frequent slip.

Have you ever needed to illustrate a point or provide evidence in your writing? Using examples can help establish a clear understanding for your readers. When you want to make your argument more impactful or demonstrate a concept effectively, incorporating examples can be a useful strategy.

To establish a solid foundation for your ideas, examples can serve as supporting evidence to strengthen your message. Whether you’re writing an academic paper, a persuasive essay, or even a blog post, using relevant examples can make your writing more compelling and engaging for your audience.

7 Examples Of Establish Used In a Sentence For Kids

• Let’s establish a new rule for our game.
• We will establish a reading corner in our classroom.
• We can establish a garden in our school.
• Let’s establish a bird feeder in the playground.
• We will establish a recycling system in our school.
• Let’s establish a friendship club at school.
• We can establish a cleanliness drive in our neighborhood.

14 Sentences with Establish Examples

1. To succeed in college, it is essential to establish a good study routine.
2. It is important to establish strong connections with professors for academic guidance.
3. College students should establish a budget to manage expenses effectively.
4. Joining a club or organization is a great way to establish new friendships on campus.
5. Attending career fairs can help students establish contacts for future job opportunities.
6. Setting clear goals is crucial to establish a sense of direction in college.
7. Developing good time management skills will help students establish a balance between academics and extracurricular activities.
8. Utilizing the library resources can help students establish a solid foundation for their research projects.
9. Regular exercise and healthy eating habits can help students establish a balanced lifestyle.
10. Participating in internships is a valuable way to establish practical experience in the field of study.
11. Taking leadership roles in student organizations can help students establish important skills for their future careers.
12. Developing effective communication skills can help students establish strong relationships with classmates and professors.
13. Seeking academic support from tutors can help students establish a better understanding of complex subjects.
14. Utilizing online platforms for networking can help students establish connections with professionals in their field.

How To Use Establish in Sentences?

Establish means to set up or create something, like an organization, system, or idea. Here’s a simple guide on how to use it in a sentence:

1. Introduction: Start your sentence with the main subject you want to talk about. For example, “The company” or “Scientists”.

2. Add “establish” after the subject: Insert the word establish after the subject. For instance, “The company established” or “Scientists established“.

3. Provide the object or what was established: Mention what was set up or created after the word establish. For example, “The company established a new branch in Paris” or “Scientists established a theory that changed the way we understand the universe”.

4. Complete the sentence: End your sentence by adding any necessary details to give more context or clarify your point. For instance, “The company established a new branch in Paris to expand their operations in Europe” or “Scientists established a theory that changed the way we understand the universe, sparking new research in the field”.

By following these steps, you can easily incorporate establish into your sentences and effectively convey your message. Experiment with different subjects and objects to practice using the word in various contexts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the examples of sentences with “establish” demonstrate the variety of ways in which the word can be used to convey the idea of setting up, founding, or confirming something. Whether it is establishing a company, a rule, or a fact, the word carries a sense of creating a foundation or making something official.

From establishing a new business venture to establishing scientific theories, the word “establish” is versatile in its application across different contexts. By analyzing these examples, it becomes evident that “establish” is a powerful word that signifies the act of initiating, confirming, or instituting something of importance.