compensating for

USAGE SUMMARY

"compensating for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts, but it generally means to make up for something or to provide a balance or solution for a situation. For example: - I am not able to attend the meeting, but I will be compensating for my absence by sending a written report beforehand. - He has been working extra hours to compensate for the time he took off for vacation. - The team's strong defense helped compensate for their lack of offensive capabilities. - She is constantly buying expensive gifts for her children as a way of compensating for not spending enough time with them. - The company is financially compensating its employees for the extra workload during the busy season.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But I was compensating for feeling isolated.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

… The technology, the gizmos, are compensating for road design failure".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Slightly compensating for that factor is another change in methodology.

The New York Times

Sometimes I wonder if I'm still compensating for it.

The New York Times

"I'm a total cliche – the compensating for growing up a rich kid in Beverly Hills, the compensating for being the son of a famous director [Ghostbusters' Ivan].

The Guardian - Film

"It is a way of compensating for feelings of insignificance and worthlessness".

The New York Times

On some fundamental level, I could be compensating for all that silence with all this talking".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Coaching him meant working around his defense and compensating for his attitude".

The Guardian - Sport

Gestures go a long way toward compensating for the sculpted faces' fixed expressions.

The New York Times

The report sees offsetting only as a way of compensating for environmental loss.

The Guardian

"All the while we thought his Holocaust schlock was compensating for the Holocaust".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "compensating for", ensure that the subject clearly identifies what is being balanced or corrected. This provides clarity and strengthens the overall meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "compensating for" when the action does not genuinely offset the original issue. Overstating the impact of the compensation can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compensating for" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate how something is counteracting or making up for a deficiency. As shown in Ludwig, it's commonly used to describe actions taken to balance imbalances or offset negative effects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compensating for" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe actions that counterbalance deficiencies or imbalances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it fits into various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific discourse. It is crucial to use "compensating for" when there's a clear relationship between the action and the element it seeks to balance, and to consider the appropriateness of alternative phrases like "making up for" or "offsetting" depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey. With its neutral register, mastering the use of "compensating for" is beneficial in diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making up for

Focuses on counterbalancing a deficiency or absence.

offsetting

Suggests counteracting something with an equal and opposite force or effect.

counterbalancing

Emphasizes creating equilibrium by opposing forces.

correcting for

Implies adjusting or amending to remove errors or inaccuracies.

adjusting for

Focuses on making changes to accommodate or account for something.

redressing

Suggests setting right what is wrong or offering reparation.

remedying

Focuses on providing a cure or solution to a problem or deficiency.

atoning for

Implies making amends for a wrong or sin.

providing restitution for

Focuses on giving compensation for loss or damage.

offering amends for

Highlights the act of making an apology or offering something to make up for a mistake.

FAQs

How can I use "compensating for" in a sentence?

You can use "compensating for" to describe actions taken to offset a deficiency or imbalance. For instance, "The team's strong defense is "compensating for" their weaker offense."

What are some alternatives to "compensating for"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives such as "making up for", "offsetting", or "counterbalancing".

Is it correct to say 'compensating to' instead of "compensating for"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "compensating" in this context is "for". "Compensating to" is grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "compensating for" and "correcting for"?

"Compensating for" implies balancing a deficiency, while "correcting for" suggests adjusting to remove errors or inaccuracies. The choice depends on whether you are offsetting a weakness or fixing an error.