Exploiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Exploiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of taking advantage of a resource, situation, or individual, often with a negative connotation. Example: "The company is exploiting the loopholes in the law to maximize its profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Demographic changes mean India's appetite for higher education is expanding quickly and providing a source of international postgrad students that the US is exploiting.

The Guardian

Worldwide sales from the two drugs are expected to reach £3bn by January, but the company rejected claims it was exploiting the pandemic – stressing that profits would be much lower once development costs were taken into account.

The Guardian - Business

White threatens to take on b5, winning another pawn and at the same time liberating knight and bishop, so Black's first move looks obvious: 1…b4, exploiting the pin on the long diagonal and threatening to capture on c3.

The Guardian - Sport

The SNP could win more than 90% of Scotland's seats with 45% of the vote, exploiting the same "winner takes all" electoral system that enabled Labour to dominate Scotland for decades.

The Guardian

The Snowden files revealed intelligence-gathering is now being conducted on a grand scale, with the NSA and GCHQ exploiting advances in technology to tap into, store and analyse more and more information.

The Guardian

Compared with the 1960s and 1970s, when Enoch Powell was exploiting dislike of Caribbean immigrants in particular, the passage of time and the accumulation of personal contacts have changed our attitudes.

The Guardian - Opinion

But a lack of proper regulation risks profiteers exploiting untapped resources.

The Guardian

Sign up to the Society daily email briefing Drug companies "exploiting rules to make exorbitant profits from NHS" Government "reneges on midwives pledge" Ministers plan to give personal care budgets to 1m elderly people Industrial blackspots hamstrung by 18% unemployment, study finds Sharon Brennan: Is it a risk to hire me because of my disability?

The Guardian

"Governments that are motivated by exploiting solely this resource can be pretty excessive in their choice of policies.

The Guardian

The al-Qaida leadership may be exploiting that anger over foreign policy, and really be after a caliphate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Will Edinburgh continue to invest in companies spending a small fraction of their wealth on reducing emissions, while currently spending billions on exploiting tar sands and coal in new projects with shelf-lives of decades?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exploiting", consider the ethical implications. Ensure that the action is justifiable and does not unfairly disadvantage others. For instance, clarifying the benefits to all parties involved can mitigate negative perceptions.

Common error

Avoid using "exploiting" without considering the potential negative connotations. Using a more neutral term like "utilizing" or "leveraging" may be more appropriate if the action is intended to be mutually beneficial.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "exploiting" is that of a present participle or gerund, often used as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "is exploiting") or as a verbal noun. As Ludwig AI indicates, it denotes the action of taking advantage of resources or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Opinion

10%

Sport

8%

Unknown

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exploiting" is a versatile verb form widely used to describe the act of taking advantage of resources or opportunities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered grammatically correct and finds frequent application across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. While it can carry a negative connotation depending on the context, it remains a common and useful term. When using "exploiting", consider ethical implications and ensure that the action is justifiable to avoid negative perceptions. Alternatives such as "leveraging", "capitalizing on", and "utilizing" can offer more neutral phrasing when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Capitalizing on

Emphasizes turning a situation or resource into an advantage or profit.

Leveraging

Focuses on using something to maximum advantage, often in a business or strategic context.

Harnessing

Suggests controlling and using natural resources or energy effectively.

Making the most of

Highlights the positive aspect of using something to its full potential.

Taking advantage of

Indicates making good use of an opportunity, but can sometimes imply unfairness.

Utilizing

A more neutral term for using something effectively, without necessarily implying exploitation.

Maximizing

Emphasizes the act of increasing something to its highest possible level or use.

Profiting from

Specifically relates to gaining financial benefit from a situation.

Making use of

A general term for using something available.

Cashing in on

Suggests taking quick advantage of a trend or opportunity for profit.

FAQs

How can I use "exploiting" in a sentence?

You can use "exploiting" to describe taking advantage of a situation or resource, as in "The company is "exploiting loopholes" in the tax law" or "The team is "exploiting weaknesses" in the opponent's defense".

What are some alternatives to "exploiting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "leveraging", "capitalizing on", or "utilizing". Consider the ethical implications when choosing the most appropriate word.

Is "exploiting" always negative?

While "exploiting" often carries a negative connotation, it is not always inherently negative. Its negativity depends on the context and whether the action is considered fair and ethical. Consider if "taking advantage of" resources in a smart way is helping or hurting others.

What is the difference between "exploiting" and "using"?

"Using" is a neutral term that simply means employing something for a purpose. "Exploiting", on the other hand, implies using something to its fullest potential, often with a sense of opportunism or even unfairness. For example, "using resources" is general, while "exploiting resources" suggests "maximizing" their use, possibly at the expense of sustainability.