gesturing

USAGE SUMMARY

"gesturing" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used when indicating a movement made with the hands or body to emphasize or help to express an idea or opinion. Example sentence: He gestured wildly as he narrated the story.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After failed attempts by the chador-clad woman to reel her in with her scowling face, the male officer intervenes to give it a shot, gesturing with a typical "come on now, let's go," but the red-streaked lady jolts back in a don't-touch-me kind of way.

The Guardian

So you didn't eat all of your dinner?" "I eated this much," he says, gesturing the size of a baked potato.

The Guardian

"I came to see him," he said, gesturing to his son and namesake.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Why?!" Carey shrieked, gesturing for her to leave.

The Guardian - Music

All day they walk three paces apart from each other so they don't catch Ebola," said one Red Cross team worker staying at the hotel, gesturing at the crowd swaying body-to-body as Guinea's trademark reggae crackled through the loudspeakers.

The Guardian

Paul, gesturing toward the acrimony that persists in the Senate even after the vote made passage of the USA Freedom Act a foregone conclusion, said his Republican opponents were rooting for a terrorist attack to embarrass him.

The Guardian

"I cannot breathe!" I said, gesturing to my nose.

The Guardian

"The DUP [of Ian Paisley] are trying to exploit the confusion and apathy by saying the Good Friday agreement can be renegotiated, and Sinn Féin is feeding the lie by gesturing they can negotiate with the DUP after the election.

The Guardian

The hotel employee showing me around one presidential suite said I could pray in front of the Qibla without ever leaving the room, gesturing to a window with priceless views to prove his point.

The Guardian - Arts

The Malay language Utusan Malaysia newspaper last week showed the 24-year-old male aide who says Anwar had sex with him, gesturing towards a bed.

The Guardian - Opinion

When the police arrived, Shane crossed the road, gesturing over his shoulder to point to his wife.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions, use "gesturing" to vividly illustrate how someone communicates without words, adding depth to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid pairing "gesturing" with redundant verbs like "saying" or "telling". For instance, instead of "gesturing and saying", focus solely on "gesturing" to show the non-verbal communication effectively.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "gesturing" is as a present participle or gerund form of the verb 'gesture'. It functions either as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., 'He is gesturing') or as a noun describing the action of making gestures, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gesturing" is a grammatically sound and versatile word, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Functioning primarily as a present participle or gerund, it vividly describes non-verbal communication through physical movements. Its usage spans various contexts, from formal news reports in sources such as The Guardian and The Economist to encyclopedic descriptions and scientific analyses. The word is most frequently found in news, encyclopedias, and science contexts. When using "gesturing", be mindful of potential redundancy with other verbs and choose it to precisely convey the act of communicating without speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making hand gestures

Emphasizes the use of hands in performing the action, rather than simply implying it.

motioning

Implies a more directed or specific gesture, often to indicate direction or command.

signaling

Suggests a deliberate use of gestures to convey a pre-arranged message or instruction.

giving a sign

Suggests an action intended to provide information, direction, or a warning.

indicating

Focuses on pointing out or showing something, which may or may not involve physical gestures.

expressing nonverbally

Highlights communication of a thought or feeling without the use of speech.

beckoning

Specifically refers to a gesture used to summon someone closer.

waving

Involves a repetitive hand movement, often used for greeting or farewell.

using body language

Broader term encompassing all forms of non-verbal communication through physical movements.

acting out

Implies a dramatic or exaggerated form of gesturing, often for emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "gesturing" in a sentence?

You can use "gesturing" to describe a movement someone makes to express an idea or emotion non-verbally. For example, "He was "gesturing wildly" to emphasize his point".

What are some alternatives to "gesturing"?

Alternatives include "motioning", "signaling", or "indicating", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "gesturing" with another verb like 'saying'?

Yes, it can be redundant. "Gesturing" already implies communication, so adding "saying" may be unnecessary. Focus on using "gesturing" alone to show the action efficiently.

What's the difference between "gesturing" and ""signaling""?

"Gesturing" is a general term for making movements to communicate, while ""signaling"" suggests a more deliberate and pre-arranged form of communication through gestures.