composing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "composing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of creating or writing something, such as music, text, or other forms of art. Example: "She spent the afternoon composing a new piece for the piano."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is where he began composing the book that would become known as Les Fleurs du Mal (The Flowers of Evil) – a compendium of poems on satanism, lesbianism, sex, death and revolt which would eventually be prosecuted on grounds of blasphemy on publication in 1857 (six of the poems remained banned until 1949).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

David Levene said: "An Eyewitness photograph should always provoke the feeling of being involved or part of the scene, and that is something that I always consider when I am composing or thinking about the subject that I am shooting.

The Guardian

These sequences also serve as a showcase for the film's strong cinematography, which captures the mountains, forests, and rivers around the camps as if composing an elegy.

The Guardian - Film

For two years, ever since the site was still called "twttr", the box for composing a new tweet had posed the question "what are you doing?" But seeing how the site was actually being used, Twitter changed its mind.

The Guardian - Tech

Somebody said his work was like composing a Mozart symphony in your head.

The Guardian

By the time I got to paragraph two of his letter, I was composing the BBC apology.

The Guardian - Opinion

The musical shows the two composing their songs at Aldon Music, the Brill Building publishing company in Manhattan that also employed Neil Sedaka, Howard Greenfield and Carole Bayer Sager.

The Guardian - Music

Willis tried to smile through the debacle but he spent more and more time composing poetry.

The Guardian

Two new memoirs try to capture the essence of the people the authors love but have lost.Elizabeth Alexander, a professor of African-American studies at Yale and author of several books of poems and essays, is best known for composing "Praise Song for the Day", a poem for Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009.

The Economist

Computers can already mimic creativity on a small scale, by composing short pieces of pleasing-sounding music, for instance.

The Economist

We're teaching the science of music arranging, composing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before "composing" a lengthy document, create an outline to organize your thoughts and ensure a logical flow of ideas. This helps maintain clarity and coherence throughout the writing process.

Common error

While "composing" is a versatile word, it can sound overly formal in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "writing", "creating", or "putting together" to maintain a natural and conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "composing" is that of a present participle, often functioning as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "is composing") or as a gerund (e.g., "Composing music requires creativity"). According to Ludwig AI, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "composing" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a present participle or gerund, denoting the act of creating or forming something, ranging from musical pieces to written content. According to Ludwig, the word is correct and usable in written English. While frequently encountered in formal contexts like news and media, its use extends to scientific and business domains. When employing "composing", consider the formality of the context and opt for simpler alternatives like "writing" or "creating" in casual settings. Common related phrases include "creating", "writing", and "formulating". Remember, while "composing" signifies originality, "compiling" refers to assembling existing materials.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creating

Focuses on the act of bringing something new into existence, similar to "composing" but more general.

writing

Specifically refers to the act of producing written content, a common application of "composing".

formulating

Emphasizes the systematic development of a plan or idea, akin to "composing" a strategy.

devising

Suggests inventiveness and ingenuity in creating something, similar to "composing" a solution.

drafting

Implies preparing a preliminary version of a document or plan, as in "composing" a first draft.

putting together

A more informal way of saying "composing", often used when assembling physical objects or ideas.

fashioning

Highlights the craftsmanship and artistry involved in creating something, like "composing" a sculpture.

arranging

Focuses on organizing elements into a coherent whole, much like "composing" a floral arrangement.

structuring

Emphasizes the organization and framework of something being created, similar to "composing" an argument.

generating

Highlights the process of producing or bringing something into being, similar to "composing" content.

FAQs

How can I use "composing" in a sentence?

You can use "composing" to describe the act of creating something, such as "He is "composing a song"" or "She spent the afternoon "composing an email"".

What are some alternatives to "composing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "writing", "creating", "formulating", or "arranging".

Is it correct to use "composing" when referring to a photograph?

Yes, "composing" can be used in photography to describe the arrangement of elements within the frame, as in "He was careful when "composing the shot"".

What is the difference between "composing" and "compiling"?

"Composing" generally refers to creating something original, whereas "compiling" involves gathering and assembling existing materials. For example, you would "compose a symphony" but "compile a list".