counterbalanced by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'counterbalanced by' is correct and usable in written English.
You use it when you want to describe something that offsets or balances out something else. For example, "The high cost of living in the city is counterbalanced by the ease of access to amenities and entertainment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is always counterbalanced by the other party's bounce.

The New York Times

Their farcical waddle is oddly counterbalanced by their elegant attire.

The New Yorker

Twenty-one Democrats voted for the amendment, counterbalanced by 31 moderate Republicans who opposed it.

The New York Times

Here the panache of "overredeemed" is precisely counterbalanced by the exactitude of "in some respects".

The Guardian - Books

without being counterbalanced by effete intellectual snobs from my current home (New York).

The New York Times

But the occasional romanticism is counterbalanced by Rattigan's genius for barely expressed emotion.

The Guardian

"But it has been counterbalanced by this last week which has been pretty dead everywhere".

The Guardian

Some of that growth, however, is being counterbalanced by land preservation.

The New York Times

An attraction to melancholy was also innate, if counterbalanced by his increasing admiration for Berlioz.

The Guardian - Music

Many also said such connections were counterbalanced by what the Democrats have been doing in Washington.

The New York Times

The anti-Marxist Solzhenitsyn in 1970 was counterbalanced by the Marxist Neruda in 1971.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "counterbalanced by", ensure that the elements being balanced are clearly defined and that the relationship between them is logical. This ensures clarity and strengthens the argument being presented.

Common error

Avoid using "counterbalanced by" when there isn't a direct cause-and-effect relationship or a balancing dynamic. Overusing the phrase can weaken its impact and make your writing sound repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "counterbalanced by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action is being performed on a subject to offset or neutralize another force or effect. Ludwig provides numerous examples that showcase this balancing dynamic in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Huffington Post

2%

TechCrunch

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "counterbalanced by" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a compensatory relationship between two elements. Ludwig provides many examples across various sources, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, indicating its broad applicability. The phrase's neutral to formal register makes it suitable for diverse writing contexts. As Ludwig AI points out, its function is to indicate that an action is being performed on a subject to offset or neutralize another force or effect. For clearer and more impactful writing, ensure the balanced elements are well-defined and logically connected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offset by

Focuses on neutralizing or negating the effect of something.

compensated by

Highlights the act of providing something to make up for a deficiency.

neutralized by

Emphasizes the act of rendering something ineffective or harmless.

mitigated by

Suggests reducing the severity or impact of something.

alleviated by

Focuses on easing or lessening the burden or negative effect of something.

rectified by

Highlights the action of correcting an imbalance or error.

corrected by

Emphasizes making something right or accurate after a mistake.

balanced out by

This is a more colloquial expression suggesting a state of equilibrium is achieved.

evened out by

Implies a smoothing or levelling effect between two opposing forces.

negated by

Indicates something has been cancelled out or made invalid.

FAQs

How can I use "counterbalanced by" in a sentence?

Use "counterbalanced by" to show how one thing reduces or cancels out the effect of another. For instance, "The project's high initial costs were "offset by" long-term savings".

What are some alternatives to saying "counterbalanced by"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like ""offset by"", "compensated by", or "mitigated by".

Is it correct to say "counterbalanced with" instead of "counterbalanced by"?

While "counterbalanced with" might be used in some contexts, "counterbalanced by" is generally preferred when indicating a direct balancing effect or compensation. "Counterbalanced with" might imply more of an addition or combination rather than a direct offset.

What is the difference between "counterbalanced by" and "outweighed by"?

"Counterbalanced by" suggests a state of equilibrium or compensation, whereas "outweighed by" indicates that one factor is more significant or influential than another. "The benefits were outweighed by the risks" implies the risks were greater.