clipping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clipping" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in linguistics to refer to the process of shortening a word or phrase by removing syllables or letters. Example: "The word 'ad' is a clipping of 'advertisement'."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The pilot was unable to stop the plane, which slid down the slopes, narrowly missing a group of children and passing under a chairlift before clipping the woman and nearly severing her hand.

The Guardian

Only in the evening, when we ventured out again, clipping through the busy streets on a horse-drawn calèche – which are still used by residents as well as tourists – did we begin to get more of a feel for the place.

The Guardian - Travel

Worse was to follow after the break for Fulham when Pitman was allowed to run from inside his own half, brushing off a couple of half-hearted challenges before clipping the ball past Bettinelli from the edge of the area.

The Guardian - Sport

Marco Cassetti just could not keep up, clipping Zaha's heel as the younger, quicker man tried to get round his outside.

The Guardian - Sport

Against Sampdoria he ran half the length of the pitch, outfoxing opponents as he went, before clipping the ball past Sergio Romero.

The Guardian - Sport

Far more muted was the crowd's response to the prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, the army chief's unrelated namesake who came to power in 2013 with the ambition of clipping the wings of Pakistan's dominant military but who has presided over the diminishment of civilian power after losing a series of bruising battles with the army.

The Guardian

And it encourages countries to set taxes at a level that will discourage smoking, and to pass laws holding the tobacco industry to account for medical and other costs.In this section Clipping the enemy's wings Killjoy woz here Consanguinity costs Reprints Related items SmokescreensMar 12th 1998That adds up to a lot of nannying.

The Economist

In addition, the coinage was debased by the medieval practice of "clipping" of coins, or shaving off the edges to save the silver.

The Economist

Yet Mr Wahid has made progress towards defusing the most serious regional insurrection in Aceh while at the same time clipping the army's wings.

The Economist

Clipping the dragon's wings Jobs for life Burmese maze ReprintsThe ruling is important because it may increase the pressure on companies to treat "free overtime" (work that an employee is obliged to perform but not paid for) as paid work.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In other Senate elections, notably California and Florida, the "establishment" Republican is facing a well-organised conservative opponent in the primary.It is unclear how far Mrs Palin's ambitions stretch, but she is positioning herself as a coupon-clipping hockey mom at a time when Americans are glum and Republican fortunes are rising.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clipping" in technical contexts (like audio engineering), ensure the audience understands the specific meaning related to signal distortion. Provide context if necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "clipping" loosely to describe any kind of unwanted noise in audio. "Clipping" specifically refers to distortion caused by exceeding the maximum signal level, not general background noise or other artifacts.

Linguistic Context

The word "clipping" functions as both a verb (e.g., "clipping the wings") and a noun (e.g., "a clipping from a newspaper"). Ludwig AI indicates its correct and frequent usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Social Media

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clipping" is a versatile term used both as a verb and a noun, indicating acts of cutting, shortening, or pieces that have been cut. Ludwig AI confirms its general correctness and wide usability. It appears most frequently in news, encyclopedia articles and scientific contexts. Pay attention to the context to ensure correct usage, and consider related terms like "trimming" or "reducing" depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trimming

Focuses on neatening or tidying by cutting away small portions.

cutting

A more general term for the action of dividing or severing something with a sharp instrument.

shortening

Emphasizes making something shorter in length or duration.

reducing

Highlights the act of decreasing the size, amount, or intensity of something.

curtailing

Suggests limiting or restricting something, often in a formal or official context.

pruning

Specifically refers to the selective removal of parts of a plant to improve its growth.

lopping

Implies cutting off branches or limbs, often in a rough or unsystematic manner.

shearing

Describes the act of cutting wool from sheep or hair from other animals.

snipping

Indicates a quick, small cut, often done with scissors.

devaluing

Refers to lowering the value or worth of something, particularly in an economic context.

FAQs

How is "clipping" used in the context of finance?

In finance, "clipping" historically referred to the practice of shaving off small amounts of precious metal from coins. This debased the currency and was a form of fraud. See examples in "clipping coins".

What does "clipping" mean in signal processing?

In signal processing, "clipping" occurs when a signal's amplitude exceeds the maximum limit of the recording or transmission medium. This results in a distorted sound. It is avoided by ensuring proper gain staging.

How can I use "clipping" in a sentence about gardening?

When describing garden maintenance, "clipping" refers to trimming or pruning plants. For example, "The gardener spent the afternoon "clipping the hedge" to maintain its shape."

What are some synonyms for "clipping" when referring to newspaper articles?

When "clipping" refers to an article cut from a newspaper, you can use synonyms like "cutting", "snippet", or "excerpt" to convey the same meaning.