fulfilling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fulfilling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that brings satisfaction, happiness, or a sense of accomplishment. Example: "Volunteering at the shelter has been a fulfilling experience for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"All parliamentarians carry the people's proxy in terms of fulfilling their obligations to properly represent their constituents.

The Guardian

Reports suggest an extra 250,000 primary places are needed this year, and with land costs escalating in inner cities and budgets shrinking, fulfilling the need will be difficult, but it is right to say that it should not be done by allowing class sizes to creep upwards.

The Guardian

They concluded that his name could not be removed because, although he quoted the correct statute in his letter, Taylor did not specifically claim to be "incapable of fulfilling the duties of office".

The Guardian

Issues of how to build a common life under conditions of pluralism, how to engage people in political participation and self-government, how to decentralise political and economic power, how to resist the domination of the rich and the powerful, how to renew love and work so that life can be meaningful and fulfilling.

The Guardian - Opinion

If I really want a long and fulfilling life, I'm going to have to start looking on the bright side.

The Guardian - Opinion

"[The new law] removes all the obstacles and paves the way so that there is no problem fulfilling these contracts," Campanini says.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Confidence in the banks would be self-fulfilling, in just the same way as in the absence of a safety net lack of confidence is self-fulfilling.

The Economist

From this, the authors infer that employers are more likely to overlook a long period of unemployment if overall economic conditions are stacked against candidates.These results strongly suggest that long-term unemployment is at least partly self-fulfilling.

The Economist

It was the zealots and extremists, fuelled by global jihadist networks, who gained a reputation for fighting hardest and most effectively.A self-fulfilling prophet, Mr Assad now poses as the defender of Syria's pluralist urban middle class against a fanatical, impoverished and foreign-sponsored Sunni horde.

The Economist

If student life is constantly portrayed as being some kind of hell on earth, where most students are depressed with no one to help them, this creates a self-fulfilling prophesy making students feel worse and reluctant to seek help.

The Guardian

All that does is – it's a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fulfilling" to describe experiences or activities that provide a sense of deep satisfaction and contribute to personal growth.

Common error

While "fulfilling" is versatile, consider using more formal synonyms like "realizing" or "executing" in highly professional or academic writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fulfilling" is that of a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb tense or as an adjective describing something that causes fulfillment. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fulfilling" is a versatile word, frequently used as a present participle or adjective, denoting the action of satisfying a need, achieving a goal, or providing deep satisfaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted, especially in news, business, and general contexts. While generally neutral in tone, formal synonyms might be preferable in certain academic or professional settings. Remember that "fulfilling" suggests a deeper sense of purpose than merely "satisfying" a requirement. Use it to effectively describe experiences that contribute to personal growth and a sense of accomplishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

satisfying

Emphasizes the gratification received from an action or experience.

gratifying

Highlights the pleasure and contentment derived from something.

rewarding

Focuses on the benefits or positive outcomes gained from an activity.

enriching

Suggests an enhancement of one's personal qualities or experiences.

accomplishing

Highlights the completion of a task or goal.

achieving

Emphasizes the attainment of a desired outcome.

completing

Focuses on bringing something to a finished state.

realizing

Indicates the actualization of a potential or goal.

executing

Highlights the performance of a task or plan.

meeting

Implies satisfying a requirement or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "fulfilling" in a sentence?

You can use "fulfilling" to describe activities or experiences that bring satisfaction, as in "Volunteering at the local shelter has been a very fulfilling experience for me".

What are some synonyms for "fulfilling"?

Alternatives include "satisfying", "rewarding", or "gratifying", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "fulfilling" a formal or informal word?

"Fulfilling" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but in highly formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "achieving" or "completing".

What's the difference between "fulfilling" and "satisfying"?

While both words describe a sense of contentment, "fulfilling" often implies a deeper sense of purpose and personal growth, whereas "satisfying" suggests meeting a specific need or desire.