Applying

Applying is the present participle of the verb apply and appears in several related senses. In a physical or practical sense, to apply means to place, spread, or cause something to act on a surface or object. Common examples include applying paint, glue, heat, pressure, or medication, as well as applying sunscreen or a treatment. The action often requires careful placement, adequate coverage, and attention to duration or dosage to achieve the desired effect.

In administrative and formal contexts, applying refers to submitting a request or application for something such as a job, admission, scholarship, visa, or grant. This use is typically followed by for or to (apply for a job; apply to a university). Deadlines, required documents, and selection criteria are usually specified.

In legal or policy contexts, to apply a rule or law means to make it relevant to a situation or to enforce it. The policy applies to all employees, for example. In this sense, applicability depends on the facts and on specified exemptions.

In computing and information technology, applying can mean executing changes or configurations, such as applying a software patch, a security rule, or a filter to data.

Grammatical notes: applying is used to form continuous tenses (they are applying), and as a gerund or participle in noun phrases or modifiers. The related nouns are application (the act or process) and applicable (relevant to a given situation).