counting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "counting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to refer to the action or process of counting or as a gerund to refer to a group of things to be counted. For example: "I spent the afternoon counting coins."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Calculating that two in three of 1.4 million "frontline" care workers in the UK are paid below the living wage, it reckons it would cost a cool £2.3bn a year to bring them all up to that level – not counting £142m needed to end non-compliance with the minimum wage.

The Guardian

The response – a flurry of favourites and followers (he now has 38,000 and counting) – left him completely baffled but secretly delighted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I can imagine how useful that might be, but mostly I'm just counting the hours until I can leave.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Amnesty International described as the terror group's "deadliest massacre" to date, and local defence groups said they had given up counting the bodies left lying on the streets.

The Guardian

Greece has vowed to honour heavy debt repayments over the coming weeks but says it is counting on international creditors to release billions of euros in rescue funds before the end of the month as crisis talks between the two sides grind on.

The Guardian - Business

Counting the skipper, Giles, six of us shared the 42ft Jeaneau and as our group included two couples, we all had private sleeping cabins.

The Guardian - Travel

I reckon if you started counting everyone you'd get to about 6,500 and find there are fewer in actual attendance.

The Guardian - Sport

Counting preseason, Portland has played nine games and scored but nine goals.

The Guardian - Sport

The only mystery is that despite it being on the Caribbean coast, English speaking and with an easy-to-spot population of jaguars, caiman, anteaters, giant river otters, manatees and tapirs, along with over 800 species of birds ("and still counting"), Guyana hasn't established itself on the adventure travel map.

The Guardian - Travel

I have to continue counting carbs and measuring insulin and finding an opportune moment to inject.

The Guardian

"The importance of counting the dead and retrieving their bodies is universally acknowledged as a crucial step in acknowledging their loss and producing an account of their deaths," it says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "counting" to mean 'including', ensure the context is clear. For example, "Counting the skipper, we had six people on board" clarifies that the skipper is included in the total number.

Common error

Avoid using "counting" when a more specific verb like 'evaluating' or 'assessing' is more appropriate. "Counting the impact of the new policy" might be better phrased as "assessing the impact" if the goal is to determine the effect, not just quantify it.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "counting" is as a verb in its present participle form, often used in continuous tenses (e.g., "I am counting"). It also functions as a gerund or verbal noun, referring to the activity itself (e.g., "Counting is important"). Ludwig AI confirms its usability as both a verb and a gerund.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Travel

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "counting" is a versatile term primarily used as a present participle or gerund, signifying the act of enumeration or calculation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s grammatically sound and widely applicable. Found frequently in News & Media, Sports, and Lifestyle contexts, "counting" serves the communicative purpose of quantifying or including elements in a total. While its register is typically neutral, the specific context dictates the level of formality. Alternate terms like "calculating", "enumerating", and "tallying" provide nuanced options. Remember to be specific when using "counting" and not overuse it, as a more precise verb could better suit the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

totaling

Concentrates on finding the aggregate sum of multiple quantities.

calculating

Focuses on the mathematical aspect of determining a quantity.

computing

Stresses the use of a system or device to perform mathematical calculations.

enumerating

Emphasizes the listing of individual items within a total.

tallying

Suggests the process of accumulating a total, often in a simple or straightforward manner.

numbering

Focuses on assigning sequential numbers to items in a list.

reckoning

Highlights the act of estimation or consideration in addition to numerical calculation.

quantifying

Highlights the process of expressing something in numerical terms, often for scientific or analytical purposes.

assessing

Implies evaluating the significance or value of something, rather than just determining its quantity.

factoring in

Implies including something as a relevant element within a computation.

FAQs

How can I use "counting" in a sentence?

You can use "counting" as a verb to describe the action of enumerating items, as in "I am "counting the votes"". It can also function as a gerund, meaning the act of counting itself, such as in "Counting sheep helps me fall asleep".

What can I say instead of "counting"?

Alternatives to "counting" include "calculating", "enumerating", "tallying", or "reckoning", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "counting the cost" or "assessing the cost"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "assessing the cost" usually implies a more thorough evaluation of all factors involved, whereas "counting the cost" might focus more on the numerical or easily quantifiable aspects.

What's the difference between "counting on" and "depending on"?

"Counting on" implies a stronger sense of reliance or expectation, whereas "depending on" can be more general. You "count on" someone to fulfill a specific promise or obligation; you might "depend on" someone for general support.