Meaning & use
contextualize
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Meanings
verbtransitiveformal
To explain the background or circumstances around something so that people can understand it better.
Grammar: Takes an object: contextualize the data. British spelling is contextualise.
Patterns
- contextualize something
- contextualize something within something
The museum labels contextualize each object within its time.
A good reporter will contextualize the numbers for readers.
She tried to contextualize the poem by describing the poet's life.
verbtransitivespecialist
To consider or study something in relation to the setting in which it happens.
Grammar: Used in academic writing, often with within or in.
Patterns
- contextualize something in something
The historian contextualized the decision in the politics of the 1930s.
It helps to contextualize the study within earlier research.
Teachers should contextualize vocabulary in real conversations.
Word forms
| third person singular | contextualizes |
|---|---|
| past tense | contextualized |
| past participle | contextualized |
| -ing form | contextualizing |
Common combinations
- contextualize the data
- The analyst tried to contextualize the data for the board.
- contextualize within
- The essay contextualizes the novel within its era.
- help to contextualize
- The timeline helps to contextualize the events.
- fail to contextualize
- The article fails to contextualize the claims.
- historically contextualize
- We need to historically contextualize the debate.
Synonyms and how they differ
- frame
- Frame is a less technical word that suggests choosing the angle from which something is seen, rather than supplying background.
- put in perspective
- Put in perspective often compares size or importance, where contextualize adds surrounding facts.
- situate
- Situate means placing something within a setting, and is often used in academic work much as contextualize is.
- explain
- Explain is broader and does not require background information.
Opposites
Word family
- context noun
- the setting that gives words or events meaning
- contextual adjective
- depending on context
- contextualization noun
- the act of putting something in context
- decontextualize verb
- to take something out of its setting
- contextually adverb
- in a way related to context
Commonly confused: contextualize or contextual?
contextualize vs contextual
Contextual is the adjective; contextualize is the verb. Say contextualize the data, not contextual the data.
Practice
The exhibit tries to ____ the painting by showing photographs of the town where it was made.
Choose one answer.
Contextualize means to supply background so the painting is understood better. Conceptualize means forming an idea, and complicate and contradict do not fit the purpose.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “contextualize”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.