be offset with

USAGE SUMMARY

'be offset with' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of balancing or counteracting something, or to indicate that something is being equalized or made up for. For example, "The higher cost for the trip will be offset with a free meal on the plane."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

These should then be offset with surpluses during upswings.

The Economist

So a tilt towards Iran can be offset with war in Yemen or Syria.

The Guardian - Opinion

This tax should be offset with reductions in income taxes to avoid a negative effect on the economy.

The New York Times

In both cases, the fuel taxes could be offset with tax credits to protect vulnerable segments of the population.

The New York Times

First, he insists that the tax cuts won't reduce revenue, because they'll be offset with unspecified "base-broadening".

The New York Times

The curvilinear effects might be offset with graphic patterns or the jacket itself be replaced by riffs on a white shirt, as another take on masculine/feminine.

The New York Times

The prime minister said all new spending in next month's budget – including the widely trumpeted childcare package – would have to be offset with new savings.

The Guardian

But Senator Coburn objected to quick floor passage, demanding that the five-year, $3.7 billion cost be offset with immediate budget cuts.

The New York Times

But that can be offset with savings from energy conservation, utility rebates for more efficient appliances and federal tax credits for solar panels and other equipment.

The New York Times - Food

The Bloomberg administration said that it had no plans to close any children's clinics, saying that its plan to cut $445,000 would be offset with noncity funds.

The New York Times

The cost to the government, roughly $950 billion over 10 years, would be offset with new taxes and fees and cutbacks in Medicare.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be offset with", ensure that the counteracting element is clearly identified to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, "The environmental damage will be offset with reforestation efforts."

Common error

Avoid using "be offset with" when the compensating action does not fully negate the initial effect. Ensure the offset is substantial enough to justify the claim. For example, it's misleading to say "The pollution will be offset with a small garden" if the garden's impact is negligible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be offset with" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something is being counterbalanced or compensated by something else. Ludwig confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be offset with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that indicates a balancing or counteracting effect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's effective for showing how one element mitigates or compensates for another. Found commonly in news, scientific, and business writing, the phrase maintains a neutral register. To use it effectively, ensure that the offset is substantial and clearly identified, avoiding ambiguity or overstating the compensatory effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be made up for by

Focuses on compensating for a deficiency or loss.

be balanced by

Emphasizes equilibrium and equal distribution.

be counteracted by

Focuses on direct opposition and negation.

be compensated by

Highlights making amends or providing restitution.

be mitigated by

Suggests reducing the severity of something negative.

be neutralized by

Implies rendering something ineffective or harmless.

be evened out by

Focuses on achieving a state of uniformity or equality.

be adjusted for

Indicates making corrections to account for variations.

be rectified by

Implies correcting something that is wrong or deficient.

be corrected with

Highlights adjustments to remove errors or defects.

FAQs

How can I use "be offset with" in a sentence?

Use "be offset with" to show how one thing counteracts or balances another, like, "The cost increase will "be offset with" government subsidies".

What's a good alternative to "be offset with"?

Alternatives include "be counteracted by", "be balanced by", or "be compensated by", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "be offset with" or "offset by"?

Both "be offset with" and "offset by" are grammatically correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "Be offset with" puts more focus on what is providing the counterbalance, while "offset by" emphasizes the original action or item being counterbalanced.

What does "offset" mean in the context of carbon emissions?

In the context of carbon emissions, "offset" means to compensate for emissions released in one place by reducing emissions somewhere else. For example, flying's carbon footprint can "be offset with" investments in renewable energy projects.