improvising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improvising" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of creating or performing something spontaneously without preparation. Example: "During the performance, the musicians were improvising, creating a unique sound that captivated the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Walliams hailed Carroll, who tweets as @fatjacko, calling him a superstar for improvising the start of his act.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She had a natural reaction when improvising".

The Guardian - Film

The picture is of a government on the defensive, improvising reactions to events.

The Economist

Germany's diplomats are complaining that, while Mr Schröder's position is still popular at home, he is improvising with no real strategy.

The Economist

The only person he might "let in" is Florence, who submits without a murmur to his web-footed sexual advances and is rewarded with a series of cuffs and rebuffs.Ms Gerwig has been crowned "the queen of mumblecore", the nickname for very low-budget films featuring 20-something non-professionals improvising talky chronicles of contemporary romance, angst and drift.

The Economist

With no formal education, "Pussy" Jones spent her childhood reading and "making up" (compulsively walking up and down very fast with a book in her hand, while improvising an imaginary story out loud).

The Economist

She was especially impressed when one day she saw him and Ms Valk improvising the great scene in Act III between the prince and his mother: "I had kind of ignored the play, so I listened to audio-tapes, some going back 100 years.

The Economist

Young people are improvising, finding ways to write text messages and site comments in Romani, says Yaron Matras of Manchester University.

The Economist

Like the Treasury and the Federal Reserve, the SEC is improvising in order to try to protect banks.

The Economist

He could be endearingly open and honest about his own problems (for years he was addicted to alcohol and cocaine), even while improvising delirious flights of fancy and flitting from character to character.

The Economist

(Yes, said Mr Willetts, possibly improvising, if local population growth demands it).In this section Under suspicion The plot thickens On the mend Indian takeaway A test failed Saving the day Fit for purpose On hypochondria ReprintsThe appearance of disunity, drift and lack of leadership has weakened David Cameron, the party's leader.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "improvising", ensure that the context clearly indicates the area in which the spontaneity is occurring (e.g., "improvising melodies" or "improvising solutions").

Common error

Avoid using "improvising" without specifying what is being improvised. Vague statements like "they were improvising" lack clarity. Instead, specify the object of the improvisation, like "they were improvising a new ending".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "improvising" is as a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form of the verb "improvise". It functions to describe an ongoing action of creating or performing spontaneously, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

40%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "improvising" is a versatile verb form used to describe the act of creating or performing something spontaneously. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and science. When using "improvising", specify the object of improvisation for clarity. While synonyms like "ad-libbing" or "extemporizing" exist, "improvising" maintains a neutral register applicable in various settings. In essence, "improvising" denotes adaptability and creativity in the moment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ad-libbing

Focuses on the act of speaking or performing without planned words.

extemporizing

Emphasizes speaking or performing without notes or preparation.

freestyling

Commonly used in music and performance contexts, referring to unrehearsed creation.

making it up as you go

Informal way of saying you are creating something without a plan.

playing it by ear

Suggests making decisions based on the current situation rather than a plan.

thinking on your feet

Focuses on the ability to come up with solutions or responses quickly.

winging it

An informal term for proceeding without any preparation or planning.

devising spontaneously

Highlights the unplanned and immediate nature of the creation.

creating off the cuff

Refers to doing something without preparation, often in a creative context.

composing in real time

Used specifically in the context of music or performance.

FAQs

How can I use "improvising" in a sentence?

You can use "improvising" to describe creating or performing something spontaneously. For example, "The jazz musicians were "improvising" a melody" or "She was "improvising" a solution to the problem".

What are some synonyms for "improvising"?

Alternatives to "improvising" include "ad-libbing", "extemporizing", "freestyling", or "making it up as you go", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "improvising" or "making up as you go"?

The choice between "improvising" and "making up as you go" depends on the context. "Improvising" is more formal and suggests a degree of skill, while "making up as you go" is informal and implies a lack of planning.

When is it appropriate to use "improvising"?

"Improvising" is appropriate when referring to creating or performing something without prior planning, especially in contexts like music, theater, or problem-solving.