Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

expressing

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

“expressing” is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used both as a verb (to express something) or as a gerund (expressing an idea or emotion). For example: I am expressing my opposition to the new policy. Expressing my opinions is important to me.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Shortly before the meeting the council issued a statement expressing "grave concern at the continued fighting in and around Debaltseve" and demanded that all parties to the conflict cease hostilities immediately.

News & Media

The Guardian

Yet, far from expressing wonder that an act as extreme and barbaric as the murders is what it takes for the west to show defiance towards a religious duty that is not meaningful to non-Muslims, cultural provocateurs successfully argue that this highly exceptional situation is in fact indicative of a general contempt for Islam.

Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, also poured derision on the Republican letter in a statement expressing astonishment that members of Congress would seek to undermine a US administration by writing directly to a foreign power, and suggesting that the letter's authors had much to learn about international and even US law.

News & Media

The Guardian

In the 1991 book that popularised that term, the sociologist James Davison Hunter recorded a European friend expressing surprise that Americans "typically conduct their lives in private and with little controversy".

Yet just a few years later, he was the most divisive figure in the coalition: it was not merely the unions expressing no confidence, but also the school heads and Lib Dem colleagues, with whom he had once got on especially well.

News & Media

The Guardian

There was a great working atmosphere, it was intense, there was a commitment, something going on… I remember looking around the room and thinking: we never experience this at drama school, for one second, because here everyone is looking at something real and finding a way of expressing it.

The Australian government should be embarrassed by a UN report expressing concern about the way Tasmania's world heritage area is being managed, the Bob Brown Foundation conservation group says.

News & Media

The Guardian

Usachev also happens to be one of the most politically oppositional vloggers in Russia, frequently expressing his own opinion and commenting on the news.

News & Media

The Guardian

As for Diego Simeone, he was left expressing his "pride" in his team.

Related: 'Papers to pee': Texas, Kentucky and Florida consider anti-transgender bills Though none of the bills has passed so far, they are seen as a sign of a new aggressiveness on the part of state-level Republicans in publicly expressing overt hostility towards transgender people.

News & Media

The Guardian

It's wise to keep in mind that strong reactions from the likes of NBC and CNN legal analysts about the sudden likelihood that the healthcare law will be overturned could be exaggerated, expressing more of a visceral reaction that things simply didn't go as smoothly as they'd been expecting for two years.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expressing" to clearly indicate the act of conveying thoughts, feelings, or ideas. Ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what is doing the expressing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "expressing" in formal contexts where more precise verbs like "articulating", "conveying", or "demonstrating" might be more appropriate. Varying your word choice can enhance the sophistication of your writing.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "expressing" is as a present participle or gerund, functioning as part of a continuous verb tense or as a noun. As per Ludwig, it indicates the action of conveying thoughts or feelings, whether verbally or non-verbally.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expressing" is a versatile and frequently used verb form that serves to convey the act of communicating thoughts, feelings, or ideas. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, with its primary use being in news, media, formal business, and scientific writing. While alternatives exist, varying word choice enhances writing sophistication. When using this word, clarity about the subject and consideration of more precise alternatives in formal contexts are essential.

FAQs

How can I use "expressing" in a sentence?

"Expressing" is often used to describe the act of showing feelings or thoughts, for example, "She was "expressing her gratitude" for the help she received".

What are some alternatives to "expressing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "conveying", "articulating", or "communicating".

What is the difference between "expressing" and "implying"?

"Expressing" means to directly state or show something, while "implying" means to suggest something without directly stating it. You express a feeling, but you imply a meaning. If you were "expressing yourself" the words you used were simple and direct.

Is it always necessary to use "expressing"? Can I omit it sometimes?

In some cases, you can rephrase the sentence to omit "expressing" for conciseness. For instance, instead of "She was expressing concern", you could say "She was concerned".

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: