check and balance

USAGE SUMMARY

"check and balance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is used as a metaphor for maintaining a system of accountability in order to ensure fairness. For example, you could say "The board of directors acts as a check and balance to ensure all decisions are made in the best interest of the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

There was no check and balance in the government".

The New York Times

Now is the time to check and balance!

The New York Times

This isn't the check and balance,' " Rogers said.

The Washington Post

"Check and Balance" The American Prospect (July 2004).

Princeton University

In theory, Congress and the courts check and balance the President's exercise of power.

The New Yorker

It acts as a good check and balance for all parties in the situation".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

I don't believe you have a check-and-balance function".

The New Yorker

This makes the check-and-balance argument more palatable.

The Washington Post

But that check-and-balance mechanism was severely eroded by a 1983 Supreme Court ruling.

The New York Times

Even the more complex uneven-aged forests with their inherent check-and-balance systems can develop devastating populations of pests.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But a mutation in the mismatch-repair genes themselves can cause that check-and-balance system to go awry.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing governmental structures, use "check and balance" to describe how different branches limit each other's power. For example, "The judicial branch serves as a "check and balance" on the legislative and executive branches".

Common error

Avoid using "check and balance" to describe simple balancing acts or personal relationships. The phrase is typically reserved for systems of power and accountability, not for general equilibrium. Instead, use words such as "equilibrium" or "reciprocity" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "check and balance" primarily functions as a noun phrase or a verb phrase, depending on context. It refers to a system or action designed to limit power and ensure accountability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "check and balance" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes a system or action aimed at preventing the abuse of power. As Ludwig AI highlights, it serves as a metaphor for maintaining accountability and fairness. Predominantly found in news and media, academic, and formal business contexts, the phrase is most effectively used in discussions about governance and organizational ethics. While alternatives like "mutual oversight" or "counterbalance" may be suitable in certain scenarios, it's important to reserve "check and balance" for situations involving structured power dynamics, rather than general balancing acts. With its frequent usage across authoritative sources, "check and balance" remains a vital concept in discussions of accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

System of checks and balances

Specifies the presence of a structured system.

Mutual oversight

Focuses on reciprocal supervision between parties.

Counterbalance

Highlights the action of offsetting or neutralizing forces.

Equilibrium

Emphasizes a state of balance or stability.

Regulatory mechanism

Refers to a specific process designed to maintain control.

Supervisory control

Highlights the element of monitoring and authority.

Oversight and accountability

Emphasizes responsibility and scrutiny.

Separation of powers

Relates specifically to the division of governmental authority.

Independent review

Focuses on impartial evaluation and assessment.

Mutual constraint

Emphasizes the reciprocal limitation of power.

FAQs

How to use "check and balance" in a sentence?

The phrase "check and balance" is used to describe a system where different entities limit each other's power. For example, "The separation of powers provides a "check and balance" within the government".

What can I say instead of "check and balance"?

You can use alternatives like "mutual oversight", "counterbalance", or "equilibrium" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "check and balance" or "checks and balances"?

"Check and balance" refers to the concept itself, while "checks and balances" ("checks and balances") often describes a specific system incorporating multiple mechanisms.

What's the difference between "check and balance" and "counterbalancing"?

"Check and balance" refers to the system or principle of limiting power, whereas "counterbalancing" is the action of offsetting or neutralizing forces, which could be one aspect of a "check and balance" system.