courting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "courting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word "courting" to refer to someone's romantic advances such as in the sentence: "He had been courting her for several weeks before she finally agreed to go on a date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The US listeners are courting global financial disaster.

The Guardian - Tech

Clinton's emphasis on courting women voters has already emerged as a central piece of her campaign, which, contrary to 2008, embraces the historic nature of her candidacy as the first potential woman president.

The Guardian

This face of desperation is the face of the 19th century avant garde, risking and even courting sickness with drink and drugs.

The Guardian

The casinos all belong to the ruthless, Trumpish Terry Benedict Andy Garciaa), who is also courting Ocean's ex-wife Tess Julia Robertss in an underwritten update of Angie Dickinson's role), which makes it hard to tell whether Ocean is planning this intricate stick-up to get rich or just to get his girl back.

The Guardian

Blank Space is her bunny-boiler anthem where she doesn't entirely convince us she's driven insane by lust into courting a series of players – and its minimalist verses make for a rather tempered, non-bombastic opener.

The Guardian - Music

Alex Salmond, an admirer of Ireland's Charles Stewart Parnell, may fancy using Parnellite tactics like filibustering (harder now than in the 1880s), divisions on minor points of order and deliberate courting of suspension from the Commons.

The Guardian - Opinion

Likewise, groups that seek to remove games from stores give them publicity for free, and GTA's developers are not alone in occasionally courting controversy in order to profit from an outraged response.

The Guardian - Opinion

Norman Willis, the TUC general secretary, had been courting MacGregor for months to see if the TUC could broker talks.

The Guardian

Sanders has made several trips to Iowa and New Hampshire in the past year and has been courting liberal activists in those crucial states, the first and second to choose their Democratic presidential candidate in 2016.

The Guardian

The show, which ran from 1996 to 2000, was a huge hit despite regularly courting controversy – notably when guest Shaun Ryder swore and was subsequently banned from ever appearing on the channel again.

The Guardian

She would act all coy as if he was courting her.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "courting" in a political context, ensure that your language doesn't inadvertently suggest romantic intentions. Be clear about the specific type of support being sought, such as votes, endorsements, or policy alignment.

Common error

Avoid using "courting" when you mean "court" (a place where legal cases are heard). "Courting" implies seeking affection or favor, while "court" refers to a legal institution.

Linguistic Context

The term "courting" primarily functions as a verb, specifically the present participle of the verb "court". It describes an ongoing action of seeking someone's favor or affection. According to Ludwig, it refers to someone's romantic advances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "courting" is a versatile verb form used to describe the act of seeking favor, affection, or support. Grammatically correct and very common, it appears frequently in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts. According to Ludwig, the word can be used in sentences to refer to someone's romantic advances. While generally neutral in register, careful consideration should be given to the specific nuance and potential romantic implications, especially in non-romantic contexts. Remember that "courting" is used to describe actions aimed at gaining approval, and not to be confused with the legal term "court".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wooing

Suggests a more romantic or persuasive approach to gain favor.

pursuing

Implies actively following and trying to win over someone or something.

seeking the favor of

Focuses on the act of trying to gain approval or support.

cultivating

Emphasizes building a relationship or connection over time.

making advances toward

Emphasizes the act of initiating contact or a relationship.

soliciting

Suggests formally requesting or seeking something, such as votes or business.

attracting

Highlights the act of drawing someone's attention or interest.

vying for

Highlights the competitive aspect of seeking something desired.

canvassing

Specifically refers to seeking support, typically in a political context.

ingratiating oneself with

Focuses on trying to make oneself agreeable to someone.

FAQs

How can I use "courting" in a sentence?

You can use "courting" to describe actions aimed at gaining favor or affection, as in "The politician is "courting voters"" or "The company is "courting investors"".

What's a good synonym for "courting"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "wooing", "pursuing", or "seeking the favor of" to replace "courting".

Is "courting" formal or informal?

"Courting" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the specific nuance you want to convey and choose a synonym if a more precise meaning is needed.

When is it inappropriate to use "courting"?

Avoid using "courting" in contexts where a legal "court" is meant. Also, be mindful of potential romantic connotations when discussing political or business relationships; ensure the context clarifies the type of favor being sought.