bearings

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'bearings' is correct and usable in written English.
The word 'bearings' can be used to refer to a device that reduces friction by allowing parts to move smoothly over each other. For example, you could say "The new bearings greatly improved the efficiency of the machine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

There is no evidence of the preliminary tentative mark, of the initial hesitant touch of the pencil or crayon that would allow the artist to get his bearings and select the position for the first expressive line.

The Guardian - Arts

Apparently, the issue of slavery, with all its attendant bearings on the troubled history of American politics, were not powder keg enough for Tarantino, who also decided to throw forced prostitution into the equation.

The Guardian - Film

Gabor Poloskei struck the second in the 11th minute, taking advantage of the positioning of Mora, who, in his only really awful mistake in the game, completely lost his bearings as the forward bore down on him.

The Guardian - Sport

"At a time not just of economic crisis but when the world has become more and more virtual and people have lost their political, philosophical and existential bearings they are turning to the culture and the arts".

The Guardian

The last two days we spent as individual skippers, and with Giles's support, planned and executed mini-passages, taking bearings and directing the crew, which felt like a real achievement to end the trip on.

The Guardian - Travel

In order to get her Ferrara bearings, she read the 20th-century novels of Ferrarese novelist Giorgio Bassani (she recommends the new translations by Jamie McKendrick – conversation with Smith is peppered with literary recommendations).

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Likewise, sceptics may doubt that the secrets of Lady Gaga's success, or Mother Teresa's, can usefully be applied to, say, a company that makes ball-bearings.

The Economist

("Our little town was founded by Ruritanian settlers and it's famous for making ball-bearings and cakes... ......) It will help if Britain's priests, rabbis and imams could be similarly clear next time the town council's diversity officer calls to do some benchmarking of their coterminosity.

The Economist

Many were killed or maimed by ball-bearings packed into the bomb to maximise its human toll.

The Economist

Whether for basic products such as ball-bearings, or for complex industrial equipment, price differentials as big as 40-50% are common.

The Economist

The three suicide-bombers who walked into restaurants on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on the evening of Saturday October 1st, carrying bombs packed with ball-bearings, nails and glass, clearly aimed to kill and maim large numbers of tourists.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bearings" in a mechanical context, ensure you're referring to the actual components that reduce friction. In a figurative sense, double-check that the context clearly indicates someone is orienting themselves or understanding a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "bearings" when the singular form "bearing" is more appropriate. "Bearing" can refer to a single component, or to the manner in which one conducts oneself, while "bearings" is primarily used for the mechanical component in plural or to indicate orientation.

Linguistic Context

The word "bearings" primarily functions as a plural noun. It can refer to the mechanical components used to reduce friction in machinery. It can also describe one's sense of direction or orientation, indicating an understanding of their surroundings, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bearings" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a plural noun, with two main applications. First, it denotes mechanical components that reduce friction. Second, it refers to one's sense of orientation or understanding of a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct. Predominantly found in news and media, its register varies from formal in technical contexts to neutral in general use. Be mindful of whether to use the singular "bearing" or the plural "bearings" depending on the context. Use this guide to confidently use "bearings" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mechanical components

Refers to the physical elements within machinery that facilitate movement.

sense of direction

Highlights the ability to navigate and understand spatial relationships.

general direction

Offers a more vague meaning related to navigational direction.

orientation

Emphasizes the process of finding one's position or alignment.

direction

Focuses on the navigational aspect, referring to a course or route.

perspective

Indicates a point of view or way of understanding something.

position

Refers to the specific location or placement of something.

location

Similar to "position", indicating a place or spot.

situation

Broader term encompassing the circumstances and surroundings.

moral compass

Emphasizes a guiding set of principles or values.

FAQs

How can I use "bearings" in a sentence?

You can use "bearings" to refer to the mechanical components in a machine, as in "The machine's "mechanical bearings" needed replacement". Alternatively, it can indicate someone's sense of orientation, such as "He lost his "sense of direction" and couldn't find his bearings".

What are some synonyms for "bearings" when referring to orientation?

When referring to someone's sense of orientation, you can use synonyms like "direction", "orientation", or ""sense of direction"".

What does it mean to "lose your bearings"?

To "lose your bearings" means to become disoriented or confused, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. It indicates a lack of understanding of one's current position or situation.

Which is correct, "bearing" or "bearings" in a mechanical context?

Both can be correct, but they have different meanings. "Bearing" refers to a single component, while "bearings" refers to multiple components or the system as a whole. For example, "The wheel has a "single bearing"" versus "The machine requires new "mechanical bearings"".