chipping

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'chipping' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a verb or a noun. As a verb, 'chipping' means to break or cut away small pieces from something, usually with a sharp tool. It can also mean to hit or strike something lightly and repeatedly. Example: The carpenter was chipping away at the block of wood with his chisel. As a noun, 'chipping' refers to the small pieces that are broken or chipped off from something. Example: The artist used the colorful paint chippings to create a mosaic on the wall. 'Chipping' can also be used as a noun to refer to a game or sport where players hit or chip a small ball towards a target. Example: The annual golf chipping competition was held at the country club this weekend. In common usage, 'chipping' can also refer to the act of getting rid of something or reducing it to smaller size. Example: The company is in the process of chipping away at their debt by implementing cost-cutting measures.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Within two minutes against Sale, Williams had made a try – chipping the Sale defence, making a break and then off-loading to Ed Slater – and had a perfect afternoon with the boot, landing six from six.

The Guardian - Sport

Stefan Johansen set up the chance by chipping the ball over the Maribor backline and although Jasmin Handanovic got down to save Jo Inge Berget's shot, Callum McGregor fired home from close range.

The Guardian - Sport

"I felt like if we'd stayed there an hour longer, people would have started to argue, there were already disagreements building – a couple of people were complaining about the situation and others were chipping in saying: 'It's crap for everyone, you moaning isn't going to make it any better.'" Jamie Ivory boarded a 7.53am train at East Grinstead and did not arrive at Victoria until around midday.

The Guardian

One source who was familiar with the drawing up of the report summarised the response so far by saying: "At the state level it is a case of chipping away around the edges on welfare rather than engaging on any of the major issues".

The Guardian

In some ways, Shi Yan has pioneered a vision of farming that is slowly chipping away at this stigma.

The Guardian

Related: The Block: our renovation nation is chipping away at the Aussie dream Despite being a 15-year-old format and never enjoying the media attention lavished on MasterChef Australia or The Voice, The Block has been a consistent winner for Nine.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Will higher prices also raise the cost of living for employees, chipping away at the benefit of the higher wages?

The Guardian - Business

"To be honest with you, up until yesterday I was not hitting the ball very well, I was not chipping very well, I was not putting very well," Matsuyama said.

The Guardian - Sport

Private investors are keen on chipping in to reward governments for producing skilled workers, says Nancy Lee of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, an American agency which is planning schemes that will pay countries that succeed in cutting youth unemployment.Norway makes payments to several countries for preserving their forests and thus cutting carbon emissions.

The Economist

Claimants can be snared in poverty traps, avoiding full-time work in order to retain their housing allowance, for example.The Conservative-led coalition government is chipping away at welfare.

The Economist

Once he has been accepted, Dr Kaufman and his colleagues start chipping away at the language's phonology (the sounds of which it is composed) and its syntax (how its meaning is changed by the order of words and phrases).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chipping" to describe a gradual process, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced or contributed to. For instance, "chipping away at debt" or "chipping in for a gift".

Common error

Avoid using "chipping" in contexts that require a more significant or immediate action. For example, do not use "chipping" to describe demolishing a building, as it implies a slow, piecemeal process rather than a swift destruction.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "chipping" is that of a present participle, often used in continuous verb tenses (e.g., "is chipping") or as a gerund (e.g., "chipping away"). Ludwig AI highlights its usage in various contexts as a verb, as well as providing related lexical information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chipping" functions primarily as a present participle describing actions of gradual reduction or incremental contribution. It is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. Ludwig AI confirms its versatile usage, from describing physical processes like "chipping away at welfare" to metaphorical ones like "chipping in to reward governments". While widely applicable, it's important to consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning, avoiding misuse in scenarios requiring more decisive or substantial action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

breaking off

Focuses on the action of detaching a small piece.

whittling down

Conveys a process of carefully reducing something.

flaking off

Emphasizes the removal of thin layers or flakes.

shaving off

Indicates removing a thin slice or amount.

nibbling away

Suggests a very gradual and persistent reduction.

paring down

Signifies reducing something to its essentials.

contributing

Highlights the act of adding a small part to a larger effort.

doling out

Emphasizes distributing in small portions.

adding to

Implies incremental growth through small additions.

shelling out

Implies dispensing small amount of money.

FAQs

How can I use "chipping" in a sentence?

You can use "chipping" to describe breaking small pieces off something, like "The sculptor was chipping away at the marble." It can also mean contributing incrementally, as in "Everyone is chipping in to buy a gift".

What can I say instead of "chipping away at"?

Alternatives include "gradually reducing", "slowly eroding", or "steadily diminishing", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "chipping in" or "chipping on"?

"Chipping in" is the correct idiom when referring to contributing to something. "Chipping on" is not a standard English phrase and should be avoided.

What's the difference between "chipping" and "carving"?

"Chipping" involves removing small pieces, often unintentionally or in a less controlled manner. "Carving", on the other hand, is a deliberate and precise process of shaping a material by cutting away portions of it.