balance

USAGE SUMMARY

"balance" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun and a verb, and it can refer to different things depending on the context. Example sentence: To maintain a healthy lifestyle, I need to balance my work hours with plenty of rest and physical activity.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I believe that we have now obtained the balance between what in an ideal world we would like to do and what we can afford to do".

The Guardian

Beyond anecdote, we know very little about what kind and quantity of information is being delisted from search results, what sources are being delisted and on what scale, what kinds of requests fail and in what proportion, and what are Google's guidelines in striking the balance between individual privacy and freedom of expression interests.

The Guardian - Tech

The ruling effectively enlisted Google into partnership with European states in striking a balance between individual privacy and public discourse interests.

The Guardian - Tech

The future of Barack Obama's signature healthcare reforms hangs in the balance after facing a rigorous challenge from conservative justices on the supreme court.

The Guardian

Data protection authorities seem content to rely on search engines' application of the ruling's balancing test, citing low appeal rates as evidence that the balance is being appropriately struck.

The Guardian - Tech

In many cases, it'll balance the bets it makes on both sides of the trade, so that it's exposed to no risk and it collects the certain profit from the spread.

The Economist

Pride strikes a populist balance, but there's clearly an appetite for that serious, difficult, unsexy social realism too.

The Guardian - Film

I understand we have more players, but look, there has to be some way to balance that out".

The Guardian - Sport

A negative balance shows an unhealthy business and I could not support a gallery just for a hobby at the age of 26".

The Guardian

But in reality there is no balance here: the equation of fascism and communism secretly privileges fascism.

The Guardian

Banking analysts reckon that Standard Chartered needs to sort out its balance sheet, and could do so via a 30% cut in its dividend or a rights issue.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In discussions about abstract concepts like power or influence, use "balance" to emphasize the need for equilibrium and fairness, avoiding potential biases or imbalances.

Common error

While "balance" can imply fairness, avoid using it interchangeably with "equity" in contexts requiring a deeper understanding of social justice or impartiality. "Equity" addresses systemic inequalities, while "balance" simply implies an even distribution.

Linguistic Context

The word "balance" functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it denotes a state of equilibrium or the difference between credits and debits. As a verb, it signifies the act of bringing something into equilibrium or comparing relative values. Ludwig AI confirms its multifaceted use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Lifestyle

16%

Less common in

Opinion

5%

Books

3%

World

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "balance" is a versatile word functioning as both a noun and a verb, denoting equilibrium, stability, and proportionality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread use across various contexts. Its frequency is very common, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. To enhance writing, use "balance" precisely to convey equilibrium, avoid confusing it with "equity", and consider synonyms like "equilibrium" or "stability" for nuanced meanings. The word's neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equilibrium

Focuses specifically on a state of even distribution or equipoise.

stability

Emphasizes steadiness and resistance to change or disturbance.

proportionality

Highlights the relationship between parts or elements in terms of quantity or degree.

symmetry

Implies a correspondence of form or arrangement on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane.

counterbalance

Suggests an opposing force or influence that maintains stability.

fairness

Highlights impartiality and just treatment.

neutrality

Highlights a position of non-alignment or impartiality.

objectivity

Focuses on unbiased assessment and judgment.

equalizer

Refers to something that makes things equal.

harmonization

Refers to the process of bringing things into agreement or accord.

FAQs

How can I use "balance" in a sentence?

You can use "balance" in sentences related to financial accounts (e.g., "Check your "account balance""), physical stability (e.g., "Maintain your "physical balance""), or abstract concepts (e.g., "Find a "work-life balance"").

What words can I use instead of "balance"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "equilibrium", "stability", "proportionality", or "symmetry".

Is it correct to say "the balance of power" or "the balanced power"?

"The "balance of power"" is the idiomatic and correct expression, referring to the distribution of influence among different entities. "The balanced power" is less common and may sound awkward.

What is the difference between "balance" and "counterbalance"?

"Balance" refers to a state of equilibrium or even distribution, while "counterbalance" refers to a force or influence that offsets or neutralizes another, contributing to the overall balance.