engineering

USAGE SUMMARY

"engineering" is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun that refers to the design, construction, development and maintenance of machines, structures, systems and materials. Example sentence: My father is an engineer and he specialized in civil engineering.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "It is extremely disappointing that Network Rail's engineering works have overrun and will affect travellers during this festive season, passengers will be rightly annoyed.

The Guardian - Business

In what appeared to be pointed criticism of increasingly firm rhetoric from Cameron on multinational tax engineering, Carr insisted tax avoidance "cannot be about morality – there are no absolutes".

The Guardian - Tech

At nights I work on the London Underground as part of the repair and engineering team.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tom Corfield, a Bristol engineering graduate, recalls: "My lectures were often a bit dry and I have lots of broader interests, so I started going to my friends' lectures in different subject areas.

The Guardian

The moral complexity of genetic engineering, gamete selection and foetal surgery ran way ahead of old concepts of right and wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

Among the mid-caps Renishaw has soared 15% to £16.93 as the engineering group said a strong fourth quarter had helped it lift full year profits by 17%.

The Guardian - Business

In theory, however, we'll be able to counter this evolutionary handicap by engineering our marriages with drugs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

4) A European sharing economy In a packed tent outside the parliament, a film called The Light Bulb Conspiracy is showing, an investigative documentary about planned obsolescence – the engineering of products designed to fail in order to guarantee consumer demand.

The Guardian

We're all aware of the gaping gender gap in the Stem subjects – science, technology, engineering and maths.

The Guardian

After all, it is the scientific world that creates our future – affecting life expectancy, engineering new products and developing technologies that influence work and wages.

The Guardian

The fright began on Asian markets on Sunday when Standard Life shares fell by 4%, or £400m, while shares in the engineering firms Babcock International – which runs civilian operations at Faslane submarine base and Rosyth naval dockyard – dropped 4.2%, or £233m, and Glasgow-based Weir Group fell by 1.8%, or £100m.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "engineering", consider specifying the field (e.g., civil engineering, electrical engineering) for clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "engineering" when you mean "engineer". "Engineering" is the field or discipline, while "engineer" is the person who practices it. For example, say "She is an engineer" not "She is an engineering."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "engineering" is as a noun. It refers to the application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical purposes such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical structures, machines, processes, and systems. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

35%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "engineering" is a versatile and frequently used noun that refers to the application of science and mathematics to solve real-world problems. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It is often used in news, business, and scientific contexts. When using "engineering", specify the field for clarity and avoid confusing it with "engineer". Alternative terms such as "technical design" or "applied science" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Remember, "engineering" is the discipline, while "engineer" is the practitioner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

technical design

Focuses specifically on the design aspect of engineering.

applied science

Highlights the practical application of scientific principles, a core aspect of engineering.

systems design

Highlights the design of complex systems, a key part of many engineering disciplines.

technological innovation

Emphasizes the innovative and cutting-edge nature of engineering work.

development of technology

Highlights the role of engineering in creating new technologies.

machine construction

Refers specifically to the building and assembly of machinery.

structural development

Focuses on the development and construction of structures.

technical expertise

Emphasizes the skill and knowledge involved in engineering work.

infrastructure planning

Focuses on the planning and development of essential infrastructure.

the engine room

Refers specifically to the location where the engines are.

FAQs

How is "engineering" commonly used in a sentence?

You can use "engineering" to describe a field of study, a profession, or a process. For example: "Civil engineering is a crucial field", or "The project required extensive engineering expertise".

What are some fields related to "engineering"?

Related fields include science, technology, and mathematics, often collectively referred to as STEM. You might also consider specializations like "mechanical engineering", "electrical engineering", or "chemical engineering".

What's the difference between "engineering" and "technology"?

"Engineering" is the application of scientific and mathematical principles to design and build structures, machines, and systems. "Technology" is the result of this application, referring to the tools, techniques, and systems created.

Is it correct to say "engineering works"?

Yes, "engineering works" is a common phrase, especially in British English, to refer to construction or maintenance projects involving engineering principles. An alternative is "construction projects".