graduating

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "graduating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person who is in the process of receiving a diploma or degree from a school or university. Example sentence: My sister will be graduating from college next year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brenda Achao's surprise phone call was brief: she was graduating in commerce from Uganda's prestigious Makerere University the following week and planned to throw a party in her home village in Katine.

The Guardian

"After graduating I spent four years working in the voluntary sector getting lots of valuable frontline and volunteer management experience.

The Guardian

Kaberuka concedes that some countries recovering from conflict will need international help, but says those steadily "graduating" thanks to remittances, foreign direct investment and access to capital markets – Ghana is a prime example – should become independent of aid in the not-too-distant future.

The Guardian

Briony Houghton, 26, who is training to be a nurse, said that she and her younger sister, a lawyer, wanted to buy a place together in London after graduating from York University.

The Guardian - Money

At her current rate of progress she will be graduating to senior school next year, at least two years ahead of many of her fellow students.

The Guardian

Nick stuck to his path, though, graduating from Guy's and St Thomas' at the turn of the millennium.

The Guardian

Her 20 years in business after graduating from LSE – rising from driver to director at a publishing company – have, she says, been "obliterated" by her opponents who prefer to create a "myth" and dwell on her time as a special adviser in opposition.

The Guardian

The two universities just a stone's throw from the job centre contribute to the fact that 43.2% of the city's workforce is now in higher-end occupations – with an extremely high percentage of students choosing to stay on in the city after graduating.

The Guardian

Graduating from the University of the South Pacific, he did a master's in development studies at the University of Tanzania, later completing a law degree at the University of New South Wales while his wife, Shabnam, studied for a master's in medicine.

The Guardian

And though, having grown up on them (before graduating to the spicy heights of the chicken tikka masala), I have to admit a certain residual fondness for the almost marzipan-like flavours of a classic British curry house korma, I think we're all big enough now to appreciate the more sophisticated flavours of the real deal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After graduating, she later moved to Morocco to immerse herself in its music scene, using translation websites to get a sense of each song's meaning.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "graduating" to describe the process of completing studies and receiving a diploma or degree, creating a sense of anticipation and achievement.

Common error

Avoid using "graduated" when "graduating" is more appropriate to describe the ongoing process leading up to graduation day. For example, instead of saying "She graduated next year", use "She is graduating next year."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "graduating" is as a present participle, often used in continuous tenses to describe the ongoing process of completing an educational program. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a standard and acceptable usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "graduating" functions as a present participle, indicating the ongoing process of completing an educational program. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It is frequently used in news and media, formal business settings, and science, with a neutral formality level. When using "graduating", be clear about the level of education being completed and avoid confusing it with the past tense "graduated". Consider alternatives like "completing studies" or "finishing school" for varied expression. With its widespread use and clear meaning, "graduating" is a valuable term for describing academic achievements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completing studies

Focuses on the act of finishing academic work, rather than the ceremony or achievement.

finishing school

Emphasizes the conclusion of formal education at a specific institution.

culminating studies

Formal way of saying "completing studies", emphasizing the final stage.

receiving a degree

Highlights the attainment of an academic qualification.

being awarded a degree

Highlights the official conferral of an academic degree.

earning a diploma

Similar to receiving a degree, but often refers to a certificate of completion.

moving on from education

Focuses on the transition out of the educational system.

completing a course

Refers to the completion of a specific set of classes or training.

finishing the program

Highlights the completion of structured learning experience.

achieving certification

Emphasizes the attainment of professional credentials.

FAQs

How do I use "graduating" in a sentence?

You can use "graduating" to describe someone who is in the process of completing their studies and receiving a diploma or degree. For example, "My sister is "graduating" from college next year."

What can I say instead of "graduating"?

You can use alternatives like "completing studies", "finishing school", or "receiving a degree" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "graduating" or "graduated"?

"Graduating" is the present participle and describes an ongoing action, while "graduated" is the past tense and describes a completed action. Use "graduating" when referring to the process of finishing studies, and "graduated" when referring to the completed act of receiving a degree or diploma.

What's the difference between "graduating" and "graduation"?

"Graduating" is a verb describing the action of completing studies, while "graduation" is a noun referring to the ceremony or event marking the completion of studies.