achieve a balance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'achieve a balance' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express the idea of finding balance or harmony, usually between two different elements. For example, "She wanted to achieve a balance between her work responsibilities and her personal life."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We have to achieve a balance," Ms. Garcia said.

The New York Times

"We're trying to achieve a balance," Mr. Millhiser said.

The New York Times

It's difficult in a memoir to achieve a balance between poignancy and wry distance.

The New York Times - Books

She wants to achieve a balance, she said, between beauty and good sense.

The New York Times

He eventually learns to achieve a balance between his two chivalrous duties.

Britannica

The proposed alarming strategy is able to achieve a balance between alarming accuracy and alarming sensitivity.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

Systems of water entitlements and rules need to achieve a balance between certainty and flexibility.

Journal of Hydrology

In Opinions, the player performs an action in each of six minigames simultaneously, seeking to achieve a balance among them.

The New York Times - Tech

A struggle began -- it has never entirely ceased -- to achieve a balance between Western modernity and Japanese tradition.

The New York Times - Arts

Systematic optimization was performed to achieve a balance between data quality and sensitivity.

Analytica Chimica Acta

Thirdly, an approximate analytical PEN model is introduced to achieve a balance between accuracy and speed.

Journal of Power Sources

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "achieve a balance", clearly specify the elements that need balancing to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "We need to achieve a balance", specify "We need to achieve a balance between cost and quality".

Common error

A common mistake is focusing excessively on one element while attempting to "achieve a balance", which leads to neglecting the other. Ensure you're giving equitable consideration to all aspects you're trying to balance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "achieve a balance" functions primarily as a verbal phrase. Ludwig examples show that it often introduces the goal of harmonizing two or more competing elements. It describes an action aimed at finding equilibrium or a stable state between different factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

12%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "achieve a balance" is a versatile and commonly used verbal phrase that signifies the act of harmonizing different elements or priorities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from formal academic writing to neutral news reports. It's particularly prevalent in scientific and business domains, highlighting its relevance in discussions of trade-offs and optimization. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly identify the elements being balanced to avoid ambiguity. Remember that "achieving a balance" implies an active effort to find equilibrium, while "maintaining a balance" focuses on preserving it. Alternative phrases include "attain equilibrium", "find harmony", and "strike a balance", each offering subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attain equilibrium

This phrase focuses on reaching a state of equilibrium, which is a more formal way of describing balance.

find harmony

This alternative suggests finding a pleasant or congruent arrangement, emphasizing the positive aspect of balance.

strike a balance

Suggests a more active and forceful effort to create balance, implying a deliberate action.

maintain equilibrium

Shifts the focus to preserving an existing state of balance rather than achieving it initially.

reach a compromise

Focuses on mutual concessions to achieve balance, especially in situations involving conflicting interests.

establish harmony

Highlights the creation of a harmonious state, often used in contexts like relationships or design.

find the middle ground

This phrase means finding a position between two extremes, implying moderation and compromise.

find a happy medium

Similar to finding the middle ground, but emphasizes satisfaction and contentment with the balanced state.

harmonize conflicting elements

Specifically addresses the act of bringing opposing elements into agreement or balance.

resolve competing priorities

This alternative focuses on managing different tasks or goals that require balance in allocation of time or resources.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "achieve a balance" in a sentence?

To effectively use "achieve a balance", clearly state what two or more elements you are trying to harmonize. For example, "The company aims to "achieve a balance" between innovation and tradition".

What are some alternatives to using "achieve a balance"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "attain equilibrium", "find harmony", or "strike a balance".

Is it better to say "achieve a balance" or "maintain a balance"?

"Achieve a balance" refers to the initial act of finding equilibrium, while "maintain a balance" implies preserving an existing state of equilibrium. The better choice depends on whether you are establishing balance or sustaining it.

What's the difference between "achieve a balance" and "reach a compromise"?

"Achieve a balance" broadly means finding equilibrium between different elements. "Reach a compromise", on the other hand, specifically refers to making mutual concessions to resolve conflicting interests and "achieve a balance".