Meaning & use
three-pronged approach
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
A plan that tackles a problem through three separate but connected actions at the same time.
Grammar: Usually has an or the: adopt a three-pronged approach.
Patterns
- adopt a three-pronged approach
- a three-pronged approach to something
The school took a three-pronged approach to reducing absences, using home visits, rewards and counseling.
Our three-pronged approach to marketing covers email, video and events.
The city's three-pronged approach to housing includes building, repairs and rent support.
Word forms
| plural | three-pronged approaches |
|---|
Common combinations
- adopt a three-pronged approach
- The hospital adopted a three-pronged approach to infection control.
- a three-pronged approach to
- A three-pronged approach to recycling began this month.
- outline a three-pronged approach
- The minister outlined a three-pronged approach to cutting crime.
- take a three-pronged approach
- We took a three-pronged approach to learning vocabulary.
Synonyms and how they differ
- multi-pronged approach
- It is wider, because it does not specify how many strands the plan has.
- strategy
- It is a general word and does not say that the plan has three separate parts.
- triple strategy
- It is rarer and sounds less natural in everyday English.
- holistic approach
- It stresses treating something as a whole, while three-pronged stresses three distinct actions.
Word family
Practice
The company's ______ includes lower prices, better service and wider advertising.
Choose one answer.
Three separate actions are listed, so three-pronged approach fits. The other expressions do not describe a plan with three parts.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “three-pronged approach”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.