boasting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "boasting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is talking about their achievements or qualities in a way that shows pride or self-satisfaction. Example: "He was boasting about his recent promotion during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Madonna ruffled feathers during the Guy Ritchie years by boasting about hunting pheasant: "I like being one of the chaps.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 1.43pm AEST02:43 It's another strong language alert, and no wonder – A$AP Rocky's Fuckin' Problems is next up at 79, boasting Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar, whose guest spot wins this song for my money.

The Guardian

AIJAC head Mark Leibler didn't realise or care during his ABC TV Lateline interview last week that boasting about such encounters, when most of his meetings with prime ministers and senior ministers aren't on the public record, reinforces the public perception that they too often operate in the dark, without accountability.

The Guardian - Opinion

My mother would have been so proud; she would have bored the neighbours boasting about the books and awards I've won.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Compare that with the city of Brighton, boasting a population of 250,000, where its morning-published former evening title, The Argus, is selling just 14,000 copies a day (down almost 14% year-on-year).

The Guardian

Boasting upmarket patisseries, jewellery stores, a sushi restaurant and cinemas, it is a magnet for the well-off in a city characterised by sharp social divisions.

The Guardian

In boasting that this was its first profitable year since 2001, those of us who attended its press conference were treated to graphs and charts showing the success of the Times and Sunday Times.

The Guardian

Rupert Murdoch's News UK, now boasting a very professional PR outfit, has just proved the point.

The Guardian

Boasting one TD so far, the party hopes to outstrip the Labour Party in the next Eire general election, with the intention of holding the balance of power in a future government coalition and paving the way to a north-south, two-pronged advance to a united Ireland on their terms.

The Guardian

The disc is the largest clockface in the world – and not only does it adorn the tallest clocktower in the world, it also sits atop a building boasting the biggest floor area in the world.

The Guardian - Arts

Scattered across the Atlantic Ocean almost 900 miles off the coast of Portugal, the nine volcanic islands of the Azores are a remote haven boasting amazing wildlife (whale-watching's among the best in the world) and lush, unspoilt landscapes fringed by dramatic black sand beaches.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "boasting" when you want to describe someone speaking with excessive pride about their accomplishments or qualities. Be mindful of the negative connotation, as it can imply arrogance or self-importance.

Common error

While "boasting" is acceptable, avoid its overuse in formal contexts like academic papers or business reports. Opt for more neutral terms like "highlighting" or "showcasing" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "boasting" is as a present participle, often used in verb phrases to describe an action or state. As noted by Ludwig AI, it can be used to indicate excessive pride in one's accomplishments or qualities, consistent with examples found.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "boasting" is a grammatically sound and very common term used to describe speaking with excessive pride. As indicated by Ludwig AI, while its use is generally acceptable, it is important to be mindful of the negative connotation associated with it. Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, alternatives such as "bragging", "vaunting", or "showing off" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context and desired tone. Consider the level of formality and potential for negative interpretation when incorporating "boasting" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Bragging

Implies excessive pride and self-aggrandizement.

Vaunting

Suggests a more formal and often exaggerated form of boasting.

Showing off

Focuses on displaying one's abilities or possessions to impress others.

Exaggerating

Suggests stretching the truth to make oneself seem more impressive.

Glorifying

Emphasizes the positive aspects, potentially to an excessive degree.

Trumpeting

Suggests loudly and publicly announcing one's achievements.

Crowing

Implies gleeful and often smug boasting.

Puffing up

Suggests inflating one's importance or achievements.

Patting oneself on the back

An idiom for self-congratulation and self-praise.

Singing one's own praises

To praise oneself or one's own achievements, often excessively.

FAQs

How to use "boasting" in a sentence?

You can use "boasting" to describe someone talking with excessive pride, as in "He was "boasting" about his promotion."

What can I say instead of "boasting"?

You can use alternatives like "bragging", "vaunting", or "showing off" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "boasting" or "highlighting" when describing achievements?

"Boasting" implies excessive pride, while "highlighting" is a more neutral way to present achievements.

What's the difference between "boasting" and "bragging"?

While similar, ""boasting"" can sometimes be used in a slightly less negative way than "bragging", but both generally imply excessive self-praise.