compensating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compensating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of making up for a loss, deficiency, or error. Example: "He is compensating for his lack of experience by working extra hours to improve his skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If a global deal is signed in December to keep most fossil fuels in the ground, then compensating the losers will be key, according to Michael Jakob, a climate change economist at the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change in Berlin.

The Guardian

The cost of the payment protection insurance scandal has soared again after Barclays set aside another £900m to cover the costs of compensating customers mis-sold the insurance product.

The Guardian - Business

The problem persisted on the other - they had never seriously threatened to match their rivals' 1967 European Cup victory (a Cup Winners' Cup in 1972 hardly compensating).

The Guardian - Sport

Barclays is also facing calls to restrict bonuses following the £290m Libor rigging fine; a £1bn bill for compensating customers mis-sold payment protection insurance; and a potential multi-million pound fine for mis-selling interest rate swaps to small businesses.

The Guardian - Business

Root began to farm the strike, turning down long singles but compensating with some hefty strokes.

The Guardian - Sport

Compensating customers for fake letters has cost it £18.8m, Wonga says.

The Guardian - Business

But those gains will be wiped out and more by the cost of compensating farmers for their lower incomes.Any new rules designed to stop non-farmers from getting payments will be unlikely to work, predicts Mr Smith.

The Economist

What is surprising is that it is not compensating for this: its first-quarter operating profits this year were 25% less than those of a year earlier.Last year, Congress passed a law to open the last of America's telecoms markets mostly the local-calling monopolies of the Baby Bells to competition.

The Economist

Mr Feinberg has been reasonably generous about compensating many others affected by the spill, from fishing-boat captains who no longer have customers to French Quarter bartenders whose tips are down.

The Economist

Palestinian negotiators therefore agreed that Israel would retain some of the bigger ones, in return for compensating land swaps.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Unfortunately, the motion-compensating circuitry can make filmed content look like a cheap video a glitch known in the trade as the "soap-opera effect".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "compensating", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being compensated for and what is being provided as compensation. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "compensating" when you actually mean "rewarding" or "incentivizing". "Compensating" implies making up for a loss or deficiency, whereas rewarding is about providing a benefit for a job well done.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "compensating" is as a present participle or gerund, acting as part of a continuous verb form or as a verbal noun. Ludwig AI examples show it used in active voice constructions where someone or something is actively making amends or balancing effects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compensating" functions as a present participle or gerund, conveying the idea of making amends or counterbalancing effects. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. The phrase is grammatically sound, with sources generally authoritative as indicated by Ludwig AI, with the most common usage found in news and media. When writing, remember that "compensating" implies making up for a loss or deficiency, unlike "rewarding" which is about incentivizing performance. This distinction ensures accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offsetting the effect

Highlights the action of counteracting or balancing a negative impact.

providing recompense

More formal and emphasizes the act of repayment or compensation.

counteracting

Emphasizes opposing or neutralizing a force or effect.

making amends

Focuses more on rectifying a wrong or injury.

adjusting for

Focuses on making corrections or allowances to account for discrepancies.

redressing the balance

Suggests restoring equilibrium or fairness.

providing restitution

Legalistic term for restoring something lost or stolen.

reimbursing

Specifically refers to repaying incurred expenses.

rectifying

Highlights the act of correcting something that is wrong.

repaying

Implies returning something owed, often in a literal sense.

FAQs

How is "compensating" used in a sentence?

"Compensating" is often used to describe the act of making up for a loss, damage, or injury. For example, "The company is "compensating" customers for the inconvenience caused by the product recall."

What are some alternatives to using "compensating"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "reimbursing", "offsetting", "repaying", or "making amends".

What is the difference between "compensating" and "rewarding"?

"Compensating" implies making up for a loss or deficiency, whereas "rewarding" is about providing a benefit for a job well done. The first corrects a negative, while the second acknowledges a positive.

When is it appropriate to use "compensating" versus "correcting"?

"Compensating" is appropriate when you are providing something to make up for a loss or harm. "Correcting" is used when you are fixing an error or inaccuracy. For example, "correcting" an invoice versus ""compensating"" for damages.