contracting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "contracting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as both a noun and a verb. For example, you could use the sentence "With a sharp rise in global temperatures, contracting glaciers are changing life in many mountain communities".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She was taken back to her hotel after reportedly contracting a bug and throwing up.

The Guardian - Film

Digging below the headline number for overall economic expansion the picture in Germany is highly worrying: German exports fell by 5.8% from July to August while industrial production saw its biggest decline since 2009 over the same period, contracting by 4.8%.

The Guardian - Business

The final stage of Dad's illness involved him contracting pneumonia three times a year.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Fullah saw five of his family die there before contracting the disease himself.

The Guardian

One of the main challenges has been how to prevent HIV infection of young women, who in South Africa have the greatest risk of contracting HIV.

The Guardian

Chadwick, whilst not ruling out contracting with railway companies, believed that steam-boat funeral barges would resolve the issue in a stately fashion.

The Guardian

"There have been revelations over the last week that the Department of Health has spent £130m contracting services to private health firms in the last three years but now they are to make abortion the one procedure that cannot be carried out in the private sector?

The Guardian

Thus a succession of Tory ministers were allowed to describe the global banking crisis as "Labour's recession" and to refer (as Jeremy Hunt did) to the economy contracting.

The Guardian - Opinion

As many are aware, New Labour prepared the ground for many of the coalition policies through the expansion of PFI, contracting out, academies, tuition fees and other market-orientated measures.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

For more niche providers, larger and larger contracts can simply mean they miss out, or have to quickly find the right sub-contracting arrangements.

The Guardian

Too often their profit depends on sub-contracting out to the shadow economy, where wages are even lower than in Bangladesh's formal sector, regulations don't apply and the licence to pollute is presumed.As it happens, however, the companies that rented workspace at Rana Plaza seem not to have been from the shady side of the garment industry.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contracting" in economic contexts, ensure clarity regarding what is contracting (e.g., "the economy is contracting").

Common error

Avoid using "contracting" as a general term for any kind of reduction. It typically implies a reduction in size, quantity, or scope within a specific, measurable context, such as economic output or physical dimensions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "contracting" is that of a verb, often used in its present participle form (-ing) to describe an ongoing action or state. Examples from Ludwig show it describing economies, industries, or even individuals undergoing a process of reduction or acquisition (of a disease).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

27%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "contracting" is a versatile term, primarily functioning as a verb describing a process of reduction or acquisition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It's "grammatical status" is correct, as it is commonly used across various contexts, from economics to health. The term appears most frequently in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific articles, indicating a neutral register. When writing, it's essential to ensure clarity about what is "contracting" to avoid ambiguity. While "shrinking" is a close synonym, "contracting" often implies a more formal or measurable decrease. The word has several semantically related terms like "reducing", "diminishing", and "narrowing".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shrinking

Focuses on the physical decrease in size or extent.

reducing

Implies a decrease in quantity, size, or intensity.

diminishing

Suggests a gradual decrease or decline.

lessening

Indicates a making or becoming less.

narrowing

Highlights a decrease in width or scope.

compressing

Emphasizes the act of pressing together or making smaller.

scaling down

Refers to reducing the size or extent of something, often a business or operation.

slowing down

Implies a reduction in speed or activity.

drawing in

Suggests a pulling inward or a reduction in area.

becoming infected with

Specifically refers to acquiring a disease or illness.

FAQs

How can I use "contracting" in a sentence?

You can use "contracting" to describe something that is getting smaller, such as "The economy is contracting due to decreased spending" or when referring to someone getting a disease, like "He was at risk of contracting the virus".

What's the difference between "contracting" and "shrinking"?

"Contracting" often refers to a formal or measurable decrease, particularly in economic or business contexts, whereas "shrinking" typically describes a physical decrease in size. However, both can occasionally be interchangeable.

What are some synonyms for "contracting" when discussing disease?

When referring to acquiring a disease, alternatives to "contracting" include "becoming infected with", catching, or developing.

Is it correct to say "contracting services"?

Yes, "contracting services" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It refers to the act of hiring or outsourcing services from external providers. For example, "The company is contracting services to improve efficiency".