a counterweight of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a counterweight of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that balances or offsets another thing, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The new policy serves as a counterweight of the previous regulations, ensuring fairness in the system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

For females, the fleeing from home, however sorrowful, comes with a counterweight of liberation.

The New York Times

But that was with Mr. Johnson at his side, making a counterweight of ruthless understatement and hardened restraint.

The New York Times - Arts

His visionary side, fed by the bleak implausibilities of modern technology and tabloidized popular culture, has often enough enjoyed a counterweight of domestic emotion and common decency.

The New Yorker

We sort of accept that the price for that free-flowing, fast-paced, inexplicable comic genius is a counterweight of solitary misery.

The Guardian - Opinion

So what we can do now is pray, because we have decided that beyond a counterweight of death with death, all else is hopeless.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cruz responded to Trump at an event in Ankeny, where he picked up the endorsement of conservative firebrand Glenn Beck, a counterweight of sorts to Trump's endorsement by 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The maximum counterbalance moment of the counterbalance components is found from the following (Bommer and Podio 2012) Open image in new window Fig. 7 Typical arrangement of a counterweight on the crank of a pumping unit T_{{{text{CB}},{{ hbox{max} }}} = ;;;T_{text{crank}} ; + ;left( {M; - ;D} right);N W.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

An unusually personal and powerful story of a murder, it may offer something of a counterweight to the forces of bias and prurience that often pull the genre off-track.

The New Yorker

More recently, Harries (1997) has proposed, as a counterweight to "sense of place", that the communal responsibilities of architecture demand a phenomenological grasp of a "sense of space" in which we freely move about.

SEP

But what I feel I may be able to accomplish in this space is to provide a counterweight for some of the subtly biased reporting on the Israeli actions in Gaza over the last three days.

Huffington Post

In France, by contrast, the presidency is intended to serve as a center of power and a counterweight to the authority of the prime minister and the Parliament.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a counterweight of" when you want to express the idea of something balancing or offsetting another thing. Ensure the context clearly identifies both the force being balanced and the "counterweight" itself.

Common error

Avoid using "a counterweight of" when simply describing something that is heavy or has weight. The phrase implies a relationship of balance or opposition, not just physical mass.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a counterweight of" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something that balances or offsets another force, influence, or element. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a balancing component, often in a metaphorical sense, as seen in the examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a counterweight of" is a phrase used to describe something that balances or offsets another force or influence. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable. It's particularly common in news and media contexts, where it's used to describe balancing factors in various situations. While alternatives like "a balance to" or "an offset for" exist, "a counterweight of" specifically implies a force that moderates or stabilizes another. Ensure you use it to describe an actual balancing effect, not just a heavy object, to maintain accuracy and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a counterbalance to

This alternative uses a synonym for counterweight but with slightly different phrasing.

a balancing influence on

This alternative emphasizes the act of balancing something else.

an offsetting factor for

This highlights the effect of neutralizing or compensating for something.

a neutralizing element of

This focuses on the component that cancels out another's effect.

a compensating measure against

This implies a deliberate action to counteract something negative.

a mitigating force in

This emphasizes the reduction of severity or impact.

a corrective to

This suggests something that rectifies or sets right an imbalance.

a stabilising effect on

This refers to something that keeps something else stable and prevents drastic changes.

a foil for

This suggests something that enhances another by contrast.

a check on

This indicates a limit or restraint to prevent excess.

FAQs

How can I use "a counterweight of" in a sentence?

Use "a counterweight of" to describe something that offsets or balances another force or influence. For example, "The politician's calm demeanor provided "a counterweight to" the public's anxiety".

What are some alternatives to "a counterweight of"?

You can use alternatives such as "a balance to", "an offset for", or "a balancing influence on" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "counterweight against" instead of "a counterweight of"?

While "counterweight against" might seem logical, ""a counterweight to"" is the more common and grammatically preferred construction. "A counterweight against" can be used, but it's less idiomatic.

What is the difference between "a counterweight" and "a counterbalance"?

The terms "counterweight" and "counterbalance" are often used interchangeably, but "counterweight" typically refers to a physical weight used to balance something, while "counterbalance" can also refer to a more abstract force or influence. Therefore, "a counterweight of" implies a balancing effect rather than a mere physical weight.