counseling him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "counseling him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of providing guidance or advice to someone, typically in a professional or therapeutic context. Example: "The therapist is counseling him to help him cope with his anxiety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

President Trump's lawyers are reportedly counseling him to avoid answering questions from special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, including taking an aggressive approach to asserting executive privilege.

The Washington Post

Mr. Macedo often visited Mr. Jackson's church, counseling him personally.

The New York Times

"He was talking to him, counseling him," Lieutenant Giroux said.

The New York Times

And it is quite possible that the players union is counseling him to take that approach.

The New York Times - Sports

Sojo was very close to Derek Jeter, counseling him on his defense.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Morellet remembers his mother counseling him not to go public when he tested positive for H.I.V. in 1987.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

A young woman he was counseling told him how she had put a paid death notice for her husband in Newsday and how her mother-in-law became upset because no photo was included.

The New York Times

Recently, a young Asian-American woman that Mr. Greene was counseling asked him to tell her parents, one a doctor and the other a research scientist, that she would "not be a failure in life" because she wanted to major in English in college.

The New York Times

VCT is the process by which an individual undergoes counseling enabling him or her to make an informed choice about being tested for HIV.

BMC Public Health

7 HCT is defined as the process by which an individual undergoes counseling enabling him or her to make an informed choice about being tested for HIV.

HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care

But other people who encountered Mr. Singer at the time — particularly professional peers and counseling competitors — viewed him with suspicion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "counseling him", ensure the context clearly indicates the type of guidance being provided, whether it's therapeutic, professional, or personal. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "counseling him" without providing enough context. Ensure it's clear what kind of advice or guidance is being offered to prevent misinterpretations. Instead of just saying "He's counseling him", specify "He's counseling him on his career choices."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "counseling him" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun that describes the activity of providing guidance or advice to someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "counseling him" is a grammatically sound gerund phrase used to describe the act of providing guidance or advice. According to Ludwig, its usage is correct and applicable across various contexts, although it appears most frequently in news and media. When using "counseling him", ensure the context clarifies the type of guidance being offered to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "advising him" or "guiding him" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific situation. Ensure the type of relationship you're trying to portray is the one being received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advising him

Replaces "counseling" with "advising", focusing on giving advice.

guiding him

Substitutes "counseling" with "guiding", highlighting direction and support.

mentoring him

Replaces "counseling" with "mentoring", suggesting a longer-term, developmental relationship.

offering him counsel

Rephrases the action to emphasize the act of providing counsel.

giving him advice

Focuses on the act of providing specific advice.

recommending to him

Highlights the provision of recommendations or suggestions.

tutoring him

Suggests a more structured teaching or instruction approach.

coaching him

Emphasizes training and skill development.

enlightening him

Suggests bringing knowledge or understanding to the person.

instructing him

Focuses on formal teaching and instruction.

FAQs

What does "counseling him" mean?

The phrase "counseling him" refers to the act of providing guidance, advice, or support to someone, often in a professional or therapeutic context. It implies offering help to navigate challenges or make informed decisions.

How can I use "counseling him" in a sentence?

You can use "counseling him" to describe someone giving advice or guidance. For example, "The therapist is counseling him to overcome his anxiety" or "The manager is counseling him on improving his performance".

What are some alternatives to "counseling him"?

Alternatives to "counseling him" include "advising him", "guiding him", "mentoring him", or "giving him advice", depending on the specific context and the nature of the guidance being provided.

Is "counseling him" formal or informal?

"Counseling him" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the specific context of the counseling session or relationship might influence the overall formality. For example, professional therapy is more formal than a friend "advises him".