inject
B2Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To introduce (a liquid, drug, or other substance) into the body with a syringe.
To introduce something new, different, or additional into a system, situation, or conversation, such as money, humour, or energy.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily transitive. The 'object' being introduced is typically the direct object, while the recipient (person/body/system) is often introduced with 'into'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or use. US speakers may be more likely to use 'inject' metaphorically in business contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, medical use is primary; metaphorical use is common, especially 'inject humour', 'inject cash', 'inject urgency'.
Frequency
Moderately frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SVO: The nurse injected the vaccine.SVOA (into): They injected funds into the business.Passive: The serum was injected by the doctor.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Inject new life into something”
- “Inject a dose of reality”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To put money into a company or project to help it develop or survive.
Academic
To introduce a variable, agent, or substance into a system for study.
Everyday
Most commonly associated with medical procedures involving a needle.
Technical
In computing, to introduce code or data into a program or process.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The doctor will inject the vaccine subcutaneously.
- The budget will inject over £2 billion into the transport system.
American English
- The nurse needs to inject the medication intravenously.
- The investor agreed to inject $5 million into the startup.
adverb
British English
- The drug is administered injectably.
- This is not used injectably in standard practice.
American English
- The medicine can be delivered injectably or orally.
- This formulation is rarely used injectably.
adjective
British English
- The injectable form of the drug is more effective.
- An injectable filler was used in the procedure.
American English
- The vaccine is available in an injectable solution.
- Injectable steroids require a prescription.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The nurse will inject you with the medicine.
- Doctors inject vaccines to keep us healthy.
- They needed to inject more money into the failing project.
- The comedian tried to inject some humour into his speech.
- The government plans to inject substantial capital into the renewable energy sector.
- She injected a note of caution into the otherwise optimistic discussion.
- The central bank's decision to inject liquidity prevented a full-blown financial crisis.
- The director skillfully injected layers of ambiguity into the protagonist's motivations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
IN-JECT: Think of a doctor going IN with a needle to proJECT medicine into your arm.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES ARE FLUIDS (you inject money/life into a project).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not always 'делать укол' (give an injection). Can be metaphorical ('inject humour' = 'внести юмор').
- Do not confuse with 'inject oneself' (colloquial) meaning to participate forcefully, which is less common.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'inject to' instead of 'inject into'.
- Confusing 'inject' with 'infect'.
- Using intransitively: 'He injected' (needs an object).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most common metaphorical use of 'inject'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its core meaning is medical, it is very commonly used metaphorically to mean introducing anything (like money, energy, ideas) into a situation or system.
'Into' is the primary preposition ('inject something into someone/something'). 'With' is used in passive constructions focusing on the recipient ('He was injected with a sedative').
Both can mean 'to introduce'. 'Inject' often implies a forceful, sudden, or direct introduction (like with a needle), while 'infuse' suggests a gradual permeation or steeping (like tea).
Rarely in standard use. It is almost always a transitive verb requiring a direct object (what is being introduced).