empowering

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'empowering' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe something which gives someone power or authority, or to express the idea of encouraging or enabling someone to do something. For example: 'The workshop was designed to be an empowering experience for the participants.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But if you survive, it can also be empowering.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Gwilym thinks that empowering individuals and communities to deliver their own outcomes and reducing demand on the state is key.

The Guardian

But is she empowering herself as she becomes the artist she wants to be?

The Guardian - Opinion

Speakers include architect, artist and Umbrellium founder Usman Haque on empowering people to transform their cities and technologist, designer and writer Tom Armitage on adapting existing city systems for smartness, and communications and change strategist Katz Kiely on designing digital solutions to city challenges.

The Guardian

Zoe Williams, columnist God almighty, the number of times I have railed against this totally fake, woman's magazine notion that arriving in the workplace with knowingly fluttering eyelashes and a calculatedly short skirt, whose length and impact you are totally "in control of", could be in any way empowering for women.

The Guardian

But ultimately, especially as the leaders come under pressure from within their own ranks, they need to feel the support of the people, willing them on, empowering them to compromise and move forward.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the potential results, in terms of empowering staff to get it right first time, are likely to deliver a number of longer-term benefits.

The Guardian

"All of it has been both humbling and empowering.

The Guardian

So, do we still want to ask: apart from maintaining our international reputation, empowering students, recognising diversity, reaffirming autonomy, facilitating user and peer scrutiny and establishing a peer-sourced world-class quality assurance framework – what has QAA ever done for us?

The Guardian

Nick Taussig, co-founder of the Mtaala Foundation – a charity that sets up educational communities in Uganda, empowering Ugandans to help their own youth – says that narrative exposure, though not a new concept, appeals to Ugandan culture, "There's a strong oral tradition in Uganda, and these treatments build on that by committing the children's stories to paper, investing them with added meaning".

The Guardian

She wrote in her book, America By Heart, that "the new feminism is telling women they are capable and strong" – her subtext being, of course, that the old feminism fosters weakness in women by empowering them to speak out against injustice (you know, like weak people do).

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "empowering", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what is being empowered and what they are being empowered to do. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "empowering" without specifying the outcome or area of impact. For example, instead of "The program is empowering", specify "The program is "empowering" women to start their own businesses".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "empowering" is that of a present participle or gerund, often acting as an adjective to describe something that gives power or control. It is commonly used to modify nouns, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "empowering" functions primarily as a present participle, often acting as an adjective to describe something that gives power or control. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is grammatically sound and versatile. It's frequently found in news, business, and scientific contexts, carrying a neutral register. When writing, specifying who or what is being "empowering" enhances clarity. Consider alternatives like "enabling" or "strengthening" to add nuance. In essence, "empowering" is a powerful descriptor when used precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enabling

Emphasizes providing the means or opportunity for someone to do something.

giving authority to

Focuses specifically on the act of granting official power or permission.

giving control to

Directly refers to transferring authority or command to another party.

authorizing

Implies granting formal approval or permission for someone to act.

delegating power to

Specifically refers to entrusting someone with responsibilities and decision-making authority.

strengthening

Highlights the act of making someone or something more robust and resilient.

building capacity within

Focuses on developing and expanding skills and resources within a group or organization.

fostering independence in

Highlights the development of self-reliance and autonomy.

promoting self-sufficiency in

Emphasizes the ability to provide for oneself without external assistance.

investing in

Suggests allocating resources or trust to foster growth or capability.

FAQs

How can I use "empowering" in a sentence?

The term "empowering" is used to describe actions or initiatives that give someone more control over their life or situation. For example, "Providing education is "empowering" communities".

What are some alternatives to the word "empowering"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "empowering" include "enabling", "strengthening", or "authorizing".

Is it correct to say something is "empowering"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms that "empowering" is correct and usable in written English.

What's the difference between "empowering" and "enablement"?

"Empowering" typically refers to giving someone the power or authority to do something, while "enablement" often refers to providing the tools or resources necessary to achieve something.