abstracting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "abstracting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of distilling or extracting an idea from a larger body of work. For example, "The researcher was engaged in abstracting the key themes from the novels of the author."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He suggests that it might be possible to hide 53,000 sq m of luxury development with a trick of the light, noting that "the tower's reflective skin and slender profile camouflage with the landscape, abstracting and displacing the valley and sky".

The Guardian - Arts

You shouldn't prescribe macroeconomic policies while abstracting away domestic political dynamics.

The Economist

My suspicion, perhaps unfair, is that in recent years too much macroeconomic theory itself became "one of these pretty, polite techniques which tries to deal with the present by abstracting from the fact that we know very little about the future".As Mr Blanchard's article makes clear, if you can't explain the propensity to hoard, then you can't explain our current predicament.

The Economist

What would the effect of a similar programme be on the euro-zone economy if the ECB were to follow in the Fed's footsteps?Even abstracting from various EMU-specific feasibility aspects, whether political or technical, assessing the potential economic impact of such a programme is far from easy.

The Economist

Mr Lindsey explains: "Middle-class life is built on abstract relations based on shared values…We are used to dealing with people we don't know in order to get something done and do it by abstracting away from the particular details of our background or personality".

The Economist

Abstracting from time.

SEP

On such an account, there is a ('mere') concept of refinement, abstracting away the idiosyncratic features of Peter's individual refinement, Paul's individual refinement, and so on.

SEP

Put roughly, he claims that in judging that "The wolf is eating the lamb," for example, we separate various aspects of what is immediately given and assert a relationship between them, which involves mental operations such as attention and abstracting.

SEP

(If it helps, think of an unsaturated proposition-part as the result of abstracting away from one or more arguments in a complete proposition).

SEP

Human beings cannot really take up the latter standpoint but can form only an empty concept of things as they exist in themselves by abstracting from all the content of our experience and leaving only the purely formal thought of an object in general.

SEP

In this view, science is objective to the degree that it succeeds at discovering and generalizing facts, abstracting from the perspective of the individual scientist.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abstracting" when you want to emphasize the process of removing specific details to focus on broader, more general concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "abstracting" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it often sounds overly academic or technical. Simpler terms like "removing details" or "generalizing" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "abstracting" is that of a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form of the verb "abstract". It describes an ongoing action of extracting essential information or creating a generalized representation. According to Ludwig AI, this term is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

74%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Abstracting" functions as a verb that signifies the act of extracting essential information or simplifying complex concepts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly used in formal and scientific contexts, it aims to convey clarity and precision. As showcased by examples from various sources like the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and The Economist, "abstracting" helps reduce complexity and highlight core ideas. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "simplifying" or "extracting" to tailor your writing to specific audiences and purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extracting

Focuses on the process of pulling something specific out of a larger whole.

simplifying

Emphasizes making something easier to understand by removing complexities.

generalizing

Highlights the process of forming broad principles or conclusions.

distilling

Suggests refining something down to its essential elements.

conceptualizing

Focuses on forming an abstract idea or concept of something.

idealizing

Implies creating a perfect or idealized representation.

summarizing

Involves creating a concise overview of something.

deriving

Emphasizes obtaining something from a source.

formulating

Focuses on expressing something in a clear and systematic way.

theorizing

Involves developing a set of ideas to explain something.

FAQs

How is "abstracting" commonly used in academic writing?

In academic writing, "abstracting" often refers to the process of simplifying complex information to highlight key concepts or create theoretical models. It's used to "generalize" specific examples into broader principles.

What are some alternatives to using "abstracting" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "abstracting" could include "simplifying", "extracting", or "generalizing". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "abstracting" instead of "summarizing"?

"Abstracting" is best used when focusing on removing details to highlight a core concept, while "summarizing" involves condensing information while retaining its main points. Abstracting often leads to a more conceptual or theoretical understanding.

What does it mean to "abstract away" from something?

To "abstract away" from something means to intentionally ignore or remove specific details or complexities in order to focus on more general or essential aspects. This is similar to "simplifying" a problem by disregarding irrelevant information.