asserting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asserting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the act of stating or declaring something confidently or forcefully. Example: "He is asserting his right to speak at the meeting, emphasizing the importance of his perspective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Salmond hit him with well-aimed jabs After two weeks of floundering in response, Better Together eventually ended the crisis by asserting that Scottish ministers had complete autonomy over NHS policy and spending in Scotland.

The Guardian

Anne-Marie Anne-Marie Hubyfounderiving, spofe about Justgivingdecinspokes Frontières aboute age of 23, and the difficulties of asserting yourself as a young person in a new role.

The Guardian

It works like this: if you worry that you might be accused of an -ism, get your defence in first by asserting that the accuser is an envoy of an ivory tower elite and you are merely a tribune of the people.

The Guardian - Opinion

I've overheard conversations at academic gatherings in which female colleagues have been described as "power-dressing" – coded language used to accuse a woman of asserting herself in overly-ambitious ways.

The Guardian

Kabulwarnamyo seems to be an exemplar of a remote community asserting its determination to educate its young, despite the dictates of government, and of securing a future through astute, job-creating land management and cultural protection.

The Guardian

Herman Cain: the one-time front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination sputtered into the national conversation just this week, asserting the accusations of sexual harassment that sealed the end of his campaign were the work of "a force bigger than right": the Devil.

The Guardian - Opinion

All of which is further evidence for the wisdom in that line from Hamlet about the lady protesting too much: strenuously asserting something is often a sign that, really, you doubt it, or believe the opposite.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sarah Palin fired another shot in her unlikely war of words with the activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) on Monday, accusing it of hypocrisy and asserting that liberals feel no compunction about attacking even special-needs children and puppy trainers.

The Guardian

To use mob rule and violence as way of asserting people's will is compromising the rule of law.

The Guardian

If you come across a BBC story merely asserting that petrol has soared to a "new record level" or hear a politician left unchallenged when making a claim that more money than ever is being spent on, say the NHS, you should consider asking for your licence money back.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a courtroom inside Cairo's Tora Prison on Thursday, defence lawyer Khaled Abu Bakr refuted each of the charges against Fahmy, asserting there was no evidence of any connection between him and with the Muslim Brotherhood, which was banned and declared a terrorist organisation after the military removed president Mohamed Morsi from power in 2013.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "asserting", ensure the context supports a confident and somewhat forceful declaration, not just a simple statement of fact. Choose this verb when you want to emphasize the strength of the claim being made.

Common error

Avoid using "asserting" when a more neutral verb like "stating" or "mentioning" would be more appropriate. Overusing "asserting" can make your writing sound overly aggressive or argumentative when no argument is intended.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "asserting" is that of a present participle or gerund of the verb "assert". It is used to describe an action of confidently declaring something, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "asserting" functions as a present participle or gerund, conveying the act of confidently declaring something. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news media and formal business settings. When writing, remember to use "asserting" when you want to emphasize the strength and confidence of a claim, and avoid overusing it in neutral contexts where a simpler verb would suffice. By understanding these nuances, you can use "asserting" effectively to add power and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stating

Implies a straightforward and clear declaration.

declaring

Suggests a formal or official announcement.

affirming

Emphasizes a strong and positive statement of fact.

maintaining

Implies a continued assertion or defense of a position.

insisting

Conveys a firm and persistent declaration, often against opposition.

averring

Signifies a confident and emphatic declaration.

contending

Highlights an argument or debate where a point is strongly made.

professing

Suggests openly declaring a belief or feeling.

alleging

Indicates an assertion made without proof or definitive evidence.

positing

Suggests presenting an idea or theory for consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "asserting" effectively in a sentence?

Use "asserting" to show a confident declaration or claim, often in the face of opposition or doubt. For example, "The lawyer was "maintaining" her client's innocence despite the evidence."

What is a good alternative to "asserting" in formal writing?

In formal writing, consider alternatives like "declaring", "affirming", or "contending" to convey a similar meaning with varying degrees of emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "asserting" versus "stating"?

"Asserting" implies a stronger, more confident claim, often in response to disagreement or doubt. "Stating" is a more neutral way to convey information without necessarily emphasizing the strength of the claim.

Is "asserting" the same as "alleging"?

No, "asserting" suggests a confident declaration, whereas "alleging" implies making a claim without proof, suggesting uncertainty or potential falsehood.