usher in — introduce a new era or significant change
phrasal verbC1IELTS 7+neutraloccasional
to make the start of something new or important happen, especially a period of big change or a new way of doing things.
Say it like a native
Textbook The invention inaugurated a new period of communication.
Native The invention ushered in a new era of communication.
'Usher in' is the idiomatic verb for marking the start of a big change; 'inaugurated' is formal.
Pattern: usher in + noun (often 'a new era', 'change', 'reform', etc.)
In use
- The invention of the smartphone ushered in a new era of instant communication.society
- If governments invest more in renewable energy, it could usher in a period of cleaner and more sustainable development.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ The reforms ushered a new era.
✓ The reforms ushered in a new era.
'Usher IN' — don't drop 'in'.
Common collocations
usher in + era— a new era, an age of, change, a new chapter
Don't confuse it
Unlike the basic verb 'usher', which means to show someone where to go (e.g. in a theatre), 'usher in' is figurative and refers to starting a significant new period or change.