countering

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'countering' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a verb which means to counteract or oppose something. Example sentence: The government's new welfare reforms are countering the downward trend of poverty rates in the country.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sturgeon, who held her first official meeting with Cameron in Downing Street on Monday, said: "I think we went a long way to countering the scares – we wouldn't have got to 45% if we hadn't – but ultimately we didn't do quite enough with enough people to get them over that fear barrier and that's why we didn't win".

The Guardian

Washington's first Muslim congressman has publicly rebuked the Obama administration's terrorism strategy during a White House summit on countering violent extremism, warning that recent moves to prevent money transfers to Somalia risked radicalising its large expatriate community in the US.

The Guardian

Sometimes I felt I was listening to something like Peter and the Wolf – is that the French horn of loss countering the trumpet of reluctant militarism, and the clarinet of hope duetting with the oboe of mortality?

The Guardian - Film

He said the prospects of successfully countering tax dodging were dismal because of the demoralised and understaffed state of the tax inspection service.

The Guardian

Sadly, Labour was ineffective in countering the Big Lie propagated by those devastatingly clever Tory strategists that Gordon Brown was responsible for the recession.

The Guardian

Speaking to journalists at the Cannes film festival after the first screening of his film about Irish communist James Gralton, who was victimised by the political and religious establishment after daring to establish a dance hall in rural Ireland, Loach said: "Dissidence and countering the prevailing consciousness is a huge issue".

The Guardian - Film

Nato's plans would need to include not just conventional forces, he added, but countering "political agitation and subversion, cyber-attack, hostile propaganda and other destabilising effects".

The Guardian

Yet Ugandan supporters of the anti-gay law say they are countering foreign influences and the international pressure to support homosexuality.

The Guardian - Opinion

Does it help the police and intelligence agencies with their very important task of "keeping Australians safe" either by preventing acts of violence in this country, or preventing dangerous foreign fighters from returning, or the strategy for countering violent extremism aimed at stopping people here from becoming radicalised and dangerous?

The Guardian

Porter's initiative is part of a wider backlash against CCTV, which under New Labour was seen as a panacea for countering all crime.

The Guardian

"Razan, Yusor and Deah – the three victims – were living, walking, breathing examples of countering violent extremism until their lives were taken away," added the congressman.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "countering", ensure that the object being countered is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just "countering", specify "countering the argument" or "countering the threat".

Common error

While "countering" is a versatile term, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "fighting", "opposing", or "going against" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "countering" is as a present participle or gerund form of the verb "counter". It is used to describe an action that opposes or mitigates something, often functioning as part of a continuous verb tense or as a noun. Ludwig shows numerous examples in which the word appears in a phrase with other words, such as in "countering violent extremism".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "countering" is a grammatically correct and very common verb form used to describe the act of opposing or neutralizing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is primarily found in news, formal business documents, and scientific writing, suggesting a formal to neutral register. When writing, it is important to clearly define what is being countered to avoid ambiguity, and to consider simpler alternatives in informal contexts. Semantically similar terms include "combating", "offsetting", and "neutralizing", each offering subtle differences in meaning. Remember, while versatile, "countering" shines best when clarity and a measured tone are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

combating

Shares the sense of actively fighting against something negative, similar to "countering".

offsetting

Focuses on neutralizing or balancing the effect of something, akin to mitigating.

neutralizing

Implies rendering something ineffective or harmless, similar to preventing its impact.

combating the effects of

Emphasizes actively opposing the specific results or consequences of something.

counteracting

Highlights acting against something to reduce its effect or influence.

mitigating

Suggests reducing the severity or impact of something negative.

negating

Focuses on rendering something null or void, similar to canceling out its effect.

invalidating

Suggests proving something wrong or without merit, thus countering its claims.

rebutting

Implies offering arguments or evidence to contradict or disprove something.

averting

Focuses on preventing something undesirable from happening, differing slightly from actively opposing.

FAQs

How can I use "countering" in a sentence?

You can use "countering" to describe actions taken to oppose or neutralize something. For example, "The new regulations are aimed at countering the effects of climate change".

What's the difference between "countering" and "combating"?

"Countering" generally implies a strategic opposition, while "combating" suggests a more direct and forceful action. The choice depends on the context and the level of intensity you want to convey.

Are there synonyms for "countering" that are less formal?

Yes, in less formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "fighting", "opposing", or "tackling" to convey a similar meaning as "countering".

Is it always necessary to specify what is being countered when using "countering"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what is being countered enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "They are countering", specify "They are countering the misinformation".