devote
To give or assign a large amount of time, effort, or resources to a specific purpose, person, or activity. It implies a sense of dedication and intentionality in how one uses their assets.
To devote is to purposefully commit your limited resources to what matters most.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Give time or resources to a specific purpose.
- Requires the preposition 'to' followed by a noun.
- Implies a high level of commitment or loyalty.
Summary
To devote is to purposefully commit your limited resources to what matters most.
- Give time or resources to a specific purpose.
- Requires the preposition 'to' followed by a noun.
- Implies a high level of commitment or loyalty.
Always use the gerund after 'to'
Remember that 'devote time to [verb]' always needs the -ing ending. For example, 'devote time to reading' instead of 'to read'.
Don't confuse with 'devout'
Devote is a verb (an action), while 'devout' is an adjective used to describe a deeply religious person.
A sign of passion
In English-speaking cultures, saying you 'devote' time to something shows you are passionate and hardworking, which is highly valued.
Examples
4 of 4She decided to devote her weekends to gardening.
The committee will devote more resources to urban development.
I can't believe you devote so much time to that game!
This chapter is devoted to the analysis of poetic meter.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Vow.' To de-VOTE is to follow through on a VOW to give your time.
Overview
The verb 'devote' is a cornerstone of English vocabulary for expressing serious commitment. It describes the intentional allocation of finite resources—be it time, energy, money, or even one's entire life—to a specific cause, person, or activity. Unlike simply 'using' or 'spending' something, 'devoting' it suggests a level of priority and often a moral or emotional attachment to the outcome. It is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object (the resource being given) and a target (the purpose or person).
Usage Patterns
The most critical grammatical rule to remember is the structure 'devote [resource] to [noun/gerund].' Crucially, the 'to' in this construction is a preposition, not part of an infinitive verb. This means if a verb follows 'to,' it must be in the -ing (gerund) form. For example, one says 'devote time to exercising,' not 'devote time to exercise.' It is also frequently used in the passive voice, such as 'The entire museum is devoted to modern art,' or reflexively, as in 'She devoted herself to her studies.'
Common Contexts
You will encounter 'devote' in various spheres of life. In a professional context, a manager might devote a significant portion of the annual budget to staff training and development. In personal life, an athlete might devote several hours every morning to practicing their technique. In academic circles, a specific section of a research paper or textbook might be 'devoted to' a particular theory, meaning that section focuses exclusively on explaining or analyzing that topic.
Similar Words Comparison
While 'devote' and 'dedicate' are often used as synonyms, 'dedicate' can feel more formal, ceremonial, or permanent, such as dedicating a monument or a book to someone. 'Spend' is a much broader, more neutral term; you can spend time on something without being particularly devoted to it. 'Allot' or 'assign' are more clinical and are usually used for distributing tasks or funds in a business sense without the emotional weight or passion that 'devote' carries.
Usage Notes
The verb 'devote' is generally neutral but leans toward formal contexts, especially in writing. It is highly effective in professional resumes and academic papers to show focus. In casual speech, it conveys a strong sense of passion or commitment that the word 'spend' lacks.
Common Mistakes
The most frequent error is using an infinitive after 'to' (e.g., 'devote time to study') instead of a gerund ('devote time to studying'). Another mistake is using the wrong preposition, such as 'for' or 'in' instead of 'to.' Finally, learners sometimes confuse the verb 'devote' with the adjective 'devout,' which describes a deeply religious person.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Vow.' To de-VOTE is to follow through on a VOW to give your time.
Word Origin
The word 'devote' comes from the Latin 'devovere,' which is composed of 'de-' (away) and 'vovere' (to vow). Originally, it referred to a formal vow or a person being consecrated to a deity.
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking cultures, 'devoting' oneself to a cause is seen as a highly admirable trait linked to the Protestant work ethic and individualism. It suggests that personal success is a result of where one chooses to focus their energy.
Examples
She decided to devote her weekends to gardening.
everydayThe committee will devote more resources to urban development.
formalI can't believe you devote so much time to that game!
informalThis chapter is devoted to the analysis of poetic meter.
academicWord Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
devote oneself to
entirely devoted to
devote attention to
Often Confused With
Dedicate is often used for formal ceremonies or setting something apart for a sacred purpose, while devote is more about the ongoing use of resources.
Spend is a neutral term for using time or money, whereas devote implies a purposeful, often selfless commitment to a specific goal.
Grammar Patterns
Always use the gerund after 'to'
Remember that 'devote time to [verb]' always needs the -ing ending. For example, 'devote time to reading' instead of 'to read'.
Don't confuse with 'devout'
Devote is a verb (an action), while 'devout' is an adjective used to describe a deeply religious person.
A sign of passion
In English-speaking cultures, saying you 'devote' time to something shows you are passionate and hardworking, which is highly valued.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word to complete the sentence.
The company will ___ more funds to research next year.
Devote is the best choice because it implies a purposeful allocation of funds to a specific goal.
Which sentence uses 'devote' correctly?
Choose the grammatically correct option:
The correct pattern is 'devote something to [gerund]'.
Reconstruct the sentence using the words provided.
Reconstruct: devoted / she / to / her / time / charity
This follows the standard S-V-O-PP (Subject-Verb-Object-Prepositional Phrase) structure.
Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, you must use the gerund form 'devote to doing' because 'to' acts as a preposition here. For example, 'devote time to studying' is correct.
No, you can devote resources to hobbies, projects, charities, or abstract concepts like justice. It is very versatile.
They are very similar, but 'dedicate' is often used for formal proclamations or artistic tributes. 'Devote' is more common for daily time and effort.
It is neutral to formal. It is perfectly appropriate for both casual conversation and professional writing or resumes.
