cushion with which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cushion with which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a cushion that is associated with or used in conjunction with something else. Example: "She chose the cushion with which she would decorate her living room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Although TransCanada and the governments of Alberta and Canada have been vigorously pushing for the project, Moody's concluded that the delay would improve TransCanada's "liquidity, leverage and free cash flow, providing the company with a greater financial cushion with which to undertake the project if and when it is fully approved".

The New York Times

But we don't want to be gouged, and we believe that an industry that can spend $85 million dollars to defeat a popular initiative has a very large financial cushion with which to provide the rollbacks that have now been mandated.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Disney has somehow become shorthand for the cushioning with which, knowingly or otherwise, we protect and console ourselves against experience: "All the conflicts of the real world, the nerve centers of bourgeois society, are purified in the imagination in order to be absorbed and co-opted into the world of entertainment".

The New Yorker

"But they've lost their cushion with education, which made a lot more money a few years ago.

Huffington Post

"I had a little cushion to work with, which was nice".

The New York Times

And with so swift a decline, speed is of the essence, not least because America has far fewer "automatic stabilisers" than other rich countries with which to cushion a recession.Thanks to the changing nature of America's workforce, unemployment insurance offers less of a prop to demand than it used to.

The Economist

We slept in Gites, very simple guesthouses with long-rooms ringed with cushions which serve as a multi-functional dining room, sitting room and bedroom.

Huffington Post

Lady went into the upholstery department of Bloomingdale's and asked for some rust-colored or henna-colored material with which to re-cover a sofa cushion.

The New Yorker

There is the armchair with nonmatching cushion in which the young girl sits, midway between deep sleep and waking.

The New York Times - Arts

Here, visitors are encouraged to relax and color on stools made from large paint buckets topped off with cushions which are themselves repurposed from commercial fabrics, as well as fashioned from the more traditional leather.

Vice

I now work about 50 hours a week and I now have a financial cushion around me which, with a third child on the way next year and a mother in very poor health, I am deeply relieved about.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cushion with which", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what is being cushioned. This construction often appears in formal writing, so maintain a consistent tone.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the "which" clearly refers back to the "cushion". Incorrect usage can occur when the referent is unclear or too distant in the sentence structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cushion with which" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the means or instrument used to provide a buffer or mitigation. It adds detail about how something is softened or protected. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cushion with which" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe a means of protection or mitigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid, though not exceedingly common. It appears primarily in news and media, and science contexts, with a formal to neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in what is being cushioned. Alternative phrasings include "buffer with which" or "pad with which", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

support with which

Offers "support" for "cushion" shifting to a broader understanding of structural providing.

buffer with which

Replaces "cushion" with "buffer", suggesting a safeguard or protective measure.

pad with which

Substitutes "cushion" with "pad", implying a softer, less formal level of protection.

aid with which

Swaps "cushion" with "aid", suggesting assistance is offered.

resource with which

Replaces "cushion" with "resource", focusing on available assets rather than literal cushioning.

means by which to cushion

Restructures the sentence to focus on the action of cushioning.

material with which to protect

Describes the role of protecting, instead of using the word "cushion".

instrument with which to soften

Uses "instrument" instead of "cushion" and "soften" to replace the word "cushion" from the main query.

financial leeway to

Replaces the physical cushion with the word "leeway", referring to an abstract word for cushion.

protection offered by

Changes the structure to focus on the protection offered, removing the "with which" clause.

FAQs

How can I use "cushion with which" in a sentence?

Use "cushion with which" to describe something that provides a buffer or protection. For example, "The financial "cushion with which" the company entered the recession allowed it to weather the storm".

What are some alternatives to "cushion with which"?

Alternatives include "buffer with which", "pad with which", or rephrasing to use "the cushion that" or "the cushion used for".

Is "cushion with which" formal or informal?

"Cushion with which" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, simpler phrasing like "the cushion that" might be preferred.

What does "cushion with which" actually mean?

It refers to something that provides support or protection, mitigating the impact of a negative force or situation. The term "cushion" implies a softening or lessening of the blow.