combating

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "combating" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is used as a verb meaning to oppose or fight against something, such as an illness or a problem. For example, "The government has launched a new campaign to combat childhood obesity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, Thomas points to a lack of critical discussion and explanation of the very basis for Prevent's community work, the rationale for how some areas are selected rather than others, and a lack of transparency about the proportion of spending on combating different types of extremism.

The Guardian

The Council of Europe has named it "the most effective tool for preventing and combating trafficking in human beings".

The Guardian - Opinion

The G7 has plenty to talk about: Greece; Ukraine; the next set of development goals and how to finance them; climate change; trade; the weakness of the global recovery; how to engineer the exit from the zero interest rate environment of the past six years; combating systematic tax evasion; and tackling inequality.

The Guardian - Business

"We will share our experiences in combating terrorism to defeat Boko Haram.

The Guardian

The smashing of cannabis production gangs is part of the Metropolitan police's new approach to combating organised crime by focusing on major criminal networks, rather than individuals, involved in illegal activity.

The Guardian

Achieving food security and combating malnutrition in the developing world also depends on improving the nutrient density of the crops.

The Guardian

The country reported 55 new confirmed cases, the lowest weekly total since late June 2014, and WHO chief Margaret Chan said on Wednesday it had made "tremendous progress" in combating Ebola.

The Guardian

Combating the deep-seated myths and stereotyping around people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and personality disorder is the aim of Rethink Mental Illness, which also does brilliant work in advocacy, advice and carer support.

The Guardian

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former defence minister who has spent years combating the militant group, said: "On TV they are exposing themselves to an intelligent military.

The Guardian

Chad's military is more formidable, with 20,000 soldiers battle-hardened by previous experience of combating insurgents.

The Guardian

Far below us, heading for its honorary home port in Hobart after another season spent in the Southern Ocean combating the Japanese whalers, was the Bob Barker, Sea Shepherd's flagship, "back from saving our whales", said Fin, our young pilot.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about serious issues like disease or crime, using "combating" adds a sense of urgency and active effort. For instance, "combating climate change" conveys a stronger commitment than simply "addressing" it.

Common error

While "combating" is appropriate for formal and serious contexts, avoid using it in everyday situations where simpler words like "dealing with" or "handling" would be more natural. For example, instead of "combating boredom", try "dealing with boredom".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "combating" is that of a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form, often used to describe an ongoing effort to counter or fight against something. As Ludwig AI states, it is a correct and usable word in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "combating" is a verb commonly used to describe active efforts against negative issues. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news, formal business, and scientific contexts, reflecting a neutral register. When you want to emphasize a strong and determined effort, "combating" is an effective choice. Alternatives like "fighting" or "tackling" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fighting

This alternative is a more general term for opposing something.

tackling

This alternative suggests dealing with something directly and efficiently.

countering

This alternative emphasizes actions taken to neutralize an opposing force.

battling

This alternative implies a prolonged and intense effort against something.

opposing

This alternative indicates a direct resistance to something.

combating against

This alternative includes a preposition to describe a fight

addressing

This alternative suggests dealing with a problem or issue.

eradicating

This alternative refers to a complete destruction of any unwanted thing

struggling against

This alternative is about the fight to do something even if difficult

suppressing

This alternative refers to stop something from happening or growing

FAQs

How is "combating" typically used in a sentence?

"Combating" is used as a verb, often followed by a noun that represents the issue being fought against. For example, "combating poverty" or "combating disease".

What are some alternatives to using "combating"?

You can use alternatives like "fighting", "tackling", or "countering" depending on the specific context.

Is "combating" formal or informal?

"Combating" is generally considered a formal term, best suited for professional, news, or academic contexts.

How does "combating" differ from "addressing"?

"Combating" implies a more active and forceful opposition, while "addressing" suggests dealing with an issue in a more general way.