addressing something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "addressing something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of dealing with or focusing on a particular issue or topic. Example: "In the meeting, we will be addressing something that has been a concern for many team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

They must have been addressing something in the sky — not aliens in flying saucers, as some suggest, but their gods.

The Guardian - Arts

Piketty is addressing something more concrete and pressing: the question of "Who gets what?" Inside economics, he has helped shift the focus of attention, bringing issues of capital and distribution back to the fore, which is where they belong.

The New Yorker

"And it was plain that in his work, although it was cast in an historical period, he was addressing something of the essence of what was going on in the world today.

The Guardian - Books

"It's my goal not to savage a real person or a living person or to explain Hollywood to an outsider because, hopefully, I'm addressing something larger than the community of Hollywood".

The New York Times - Books

Yet two years ago, when Mr. Margiela first went jumbo, people thought he was riffing on fashion's obsession with thinness; in fact, he was addressing something more fundamental: proportion.

The New York Times

There was a question that Jon Stewart was starting to ask you the other night — you ended up addressing something else instead — but I think what he was asking you was: Despite the size of the show, you are exerting a tremendous force on the popular culture right now.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

'Men's Lives' addressed something terribly important to this area".

The New York Times

"If it addresses something they're angry about, like executive compensation, fine.

The Economist

"Do you address something head on and risk making it a mainstream phenomenon?

The New York Times

The president, who attended the breakfast with his wife, Michelle, also addressed something he rarely speaks about: his citizenship.

The New York Times

She said: "I'd really like to address something that is weighing very heavy on my heart.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "addressing something" when you want to emphasize directly engaging with or focusing on a specific issue, especially in a formal or professional context.

Common error

Avoid using "addressing something" in very casual conversations; simpler phrases like "dealing with it" or "talking about it" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "addressing something" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a subject complement or part of a verb phrase. It denotes the action of dealing with or focusing on a particular subject or issue. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "addressing something" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that indicates dealing with or focusing on a specific issue. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts. While it is most commonly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral to professional register, making it suitable for formal communications. When choosing alternatives, consider options like "dealing with something" or "tackling something" to maintain semantic closeness. Avoid overusing it in very informal settings where simpler language is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dealing with something

Changes the verb from "addressing" to "dealing", emphasizing the act of handling or managing an issue.

tackling something

Replaces "addressing" with "tackling", suggesting a more proactive and energetic approach to a problem.

handling something

Similar to "dealing with", but with a nuance of control and management.

attending to something

Shifts the focus to giving attention or care to a particular matter.

focusing on something

Highlights the act of concentrating attention on a specific issue.

considering something

Implies a careful thought process before taking action on a particular matter.

resolving something

Suggests a focus on finding a solution to a problem or issue.

managing something

Emphasizes the organizational and administrative aspects of dealing with a situation.

rectifying something

Indicates an effort to correct or make right something that is wrong.

taking care of something

Highlights the responsibility and attention given to a specific task or problem.

FAQs

What does "addressing something" mean?

The phrase "addressing something" means dealing with or focusing on a particular issue, problem, or topic. It suggests directly engaging with the matter at hand.

What can I say instead of "addressing something"?

You can use alternatives like "dealing with something", "tackling something", or "handling something" depending on the context.

Is "addressing something" formal or informal?

"Addressing something" is generally considered neutral to formal. It's suitable for professional, academic, and news contexts, but might sound slightly out of place in very informal conversations. Simpler alternatives are often better in informal settings.

How do I use "addressing something" in a sentence?

You can use "addressing something" when the action taken to deal with or to resolve a particular matter. For example, "The company is actively addressing something issue of climate change".