finning

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "finning" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb that describes the action of swimming or moving like a fish, using only the movement of one's legs and feet. It can also refer to the act of attaching fins to an object or animal. Example: The Olympic swimmer glided smoothly through the water, finning her way to the finish line with ease. Example: The shark's powerful tail enabled it to fin through the water, hunting its prey with lightning speed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Among the threats from humans that sharks face is finning, the practice of harvesting the lateral and dorsal fins and the lower tail fin from a shark by commercial fishing operations and others worldwide.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Still, "reducing demand for fins and finning bans alone will not save sharks," said Sonja Fordham, who led the efforts to establish the first U.S. and international bans on shark finning a decade ago.

The New Yorker

But the practice of finning — removing the fin while at sea and dropping the still-living shark back in the water to drown — is considered cruel, not to mention unsustainable.

The New Yorker

According to a fact sheet put together by the bill's proponents, even though current federal law prohibits finning, there is no regulation of the number of sharks killed for their fins — tens of millions every year — and thirty per cent of ocean sharks are threatened with extinction.

The New Yorker

Some of these haunted fish were hardly motile, finning weakly in the shallow stream, while others, ravaged by parasites, were alive but so near death they were already decomposing.

The New Yorker

Finning through it felt like flying.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

In the EU, regulations were strengthened in 2013, with the requirement that sharks must be landed with fins naturally attached - a method widely acknowledged as the most reliable means for implementing a finning ban.

The Guardian

In December, officials in Shanghai even allowed environmental activists to gather outside an anti-shark finning art exhibit as part of a petition drive against shark fin consumption.

The New York Times

Instead, it was about a new ban on shark-finning, ie, the removal of fins from sharks caught in European waters or by European ships elsewhere.European officials now recognise the folly of creating the euro without preparing for trouble.

The Economist

He is accused of using his ship, the Farley Mowat, to ram a vessel called the Varadero, which was observed conducting illegal shark-finning activities.

Independent

The azure lagoon around which most of the resort — outdoor dining room, dive center, administrative office and main dock — is arrayed like a fan was formerly a shark-finning camp where fisherman did the grisly work of supplying the demand for shark-fin soup.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing conservation, use "finning" to specify illegal fin removal.

Common error

Avoid using "finning" to describe general swimming. It specifically refers to swimming or propulsion with the aid of fins; using it otherwise can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "finning" is as a verb, describing the action of propelling through water using fins or the act of removing fins from a shark. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable word in English, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "finning" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a verb, used to describe movement through water with fins or the practice of removing fins from sharks. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its usage spans from general descriptions of aquatic motion to specific discussions of conservation issues, particularly shark "finning", with a neutral register. The term is very common, particularly in news and media, and scientific contexts. Understanding its various applications is crucial for both precise writing and comprehending discussions on marine conservation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

swimming with fins

Emphasizes the use of fins for propulsion, focusing on the action of swimming.

propelling through water

Highlights the movement through water without specifying the method of propulsion.

removing fins

Focuses specifically on the act of detaching fins from a body.

shark fin removal

Specifically refers to the removal of fins from sharks, often associated with conservation concerns.

moving through the water

A general way to describe movement in water, suitable in place of using fins.

aquatic locomotion

A scientific term for movement in water, more formal and less common.

sculling

Refers to using oars or paddles for propulsion, a specific type of water movement.

paddling

Using paddles for propulsion, which is different from using just fins.

rowing

Using oars to move a boat, less related to the act of "finning" in swimming.

water propulsion

Focuses on the general concept of moving something through water.

FAQs

How is "finning" used in the context of shark conservation?

In shark conservation, "finning" refers to the practice of removing a shark's fins, often while the shark is still alive, and discarding the body at sea. This is considered cruel and unsustainable, leading to significant declines in shark populations.

What is the difference between swimming and "finning"?

"Finning" specifically refers to propelling oneself through water using fins. Swimming is a broader term that includes various methods of self-propulsion in water, with or without using additional equipment.

What are some alternatives to describing movement through water without saying "finning"?

You can use alternatives such as "swimming with fins", "propelling through water", or simply "moving through the water" depending on the context.

Is shark "finning" legal?

Shark "finning" is illegal in many countries, including the United States, due to its devastating impact on shark populations. However, enforcement and regulations vary, and illegal "finning" still occurs.