compressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compressing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of reducing the size or volume of something, often in the context of data or files. Example: "I am compressing the files to save space on my hard drive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The algorithm involved in DV compression ran three times faster than the MPEG-2 used for compressing video onto MiniDVDs or hard-drives.

The Economist

"We do make mistakes but often what are called 'mistakes' are conscious decisions made for reasons of budget, logistics or narrative, like compressing time frames, shooting in a different location to the actual event, or reducing the cast of characters".

The Guardian - Film

"Because of that, everything spiralled down much faster".While better information may be compressing the response, it has not been good enough to predict the behaviour of buyers.

The Economist

At the time, the technology for compressing packets of digital music and voice and transmitting them from orbiting satellites 23,000 miles above the equator to cheap little receivers on the ground was barely on the drawing-board.

The Economist

They were often also finished in a day, compressing the action to unbelievable heights of tension and speed.

The Economist

Blowing up little bits of the metal this way, without compressing them in a symmetrical manner, is allowed because it does not result in a chain reaction.

The Economist

Air-conditioners, which work by compressing gas, like refrigerators, are costly to buy and run.

The Economist

The only question is how long it will take.Digital television (DTV for short) has been slow to arrive the first patents for digital communication were filed 70 years ago because compressing video into manageable streams of binary digits ("bits") is much harder than compressing streams of audio.

The Economist

SAY what you like about the current fashion for compressing the primary schedule and a lot of people have a lot of very angry things to say but you have to admit that it is making for a riveting couple of months.

The Economist

Low interest rates in most of the rich world are crushing the profitability of retail banking by compressing the difference between the rates banks earn on loans and the very low rates they offer to depositors.Reducing the number of branches offers the potential for huge savings, since these account for about half of all costs in retail banking.

The Economist

An unopened brick is stiff and strong because the external air pressure is compressing it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "compressing" data, specify the compression method (e.g., lossless or lossy) if relevant to the context.

Common error

Avoid using "compressing" when a more specific term like "reducing", "shortening", or "condensing" would provide greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "compressing" is as a verb in its present participle form. It is used to describe an ongoing action of reducing the size or volume of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the examples demonstrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

27%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "compressing" functions as a verb, primarily in its present participle form, indicating an action of reducing size, volume, or duration. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts. While grammatically sound, as evidenced by its status as 'correct' it's essential to choose the most precise term depending on the specific context, considering alternatives such as "reducing" or "condensing". With frequent appearances in News & Media and Encyclopedias, "compressing" maintains a generally neutral tone appropriate for diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reducing in size

Focuses on the outcome of making something physically smaller.

condensing

Implies making something more dense or compact.

shortening

Refers to making something shorter in length or duration.

compacting

Emphasizes the action of packing something tightly together.

abbreviating

Specifically refers to shortening a word or phrase.

constricting

Implies tightening or squeezing something.

packing down

Focuses on reducing volume through forceful compression.

squeezing

Suggests applying pressure to reduce space.

tightening

Implies making something less loose or more firm.

concentrating

Focuses on reducing something into a purer or more intense form.

FAQs

How can I use "compressing" in a sentence?

"Compressing" is the present participle of the verb compress. You can use it to describe an action in progress, such as "I am "compressing the files" to save disk space" or "The machine is "compressing the air"."

What are some synonyms for "compressing"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "reducing", "condensing", "shortening", or "compacting".

Is it always appropriate to use "compressing", or are there cases where another word is better?

While "compressing" is grammatically correct, it's important to consider the context. For instance, when referring to time, "shortening" might be more appropriate. When referring to data, "reducing the size of" might be clearer.

What's the difference between "compressing" and "squeezing"?

"Compressing" often implies reducing the volume or size of something, potentially permanently, while "squeezing" suggests applying pressure, often temporarily, and may not necessarily result in a permanent reduction in size.