is contracting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is contracting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process of reduction or decrease in size, scope, or intensity, often in a scientific or economic context. Example: "The economy is contracting due to the recent downturn in consumer spending."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Germany's economy is contracting sharply.

The Economist

Manufacturing is contracting and exports are falling.

The New York Times

With those cuts, our volume is contracting.

The New York Times

Advertising, as is clear by now, is contracting.

The New York Times

But the British economy is contracting quicker than others.

The Guardian - Business

A reading below 50 indicates that manufacturing is contracting.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Readings below 50 indicate that business is contracting.

The New York Times

There is no question the economy is contracting.

The New York Times

A reading below 50 means the manufacturing sector is contracting.

The New York Times

Asset values are tumbling, consumer spending is contracting, and a recession is visibly on the way.

The Economist

And the big elephant in the room is contracting/procurement.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In medical writing, verify if the intended meaning is the physical shortening of a muscle or the acquisition of an infection to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is contracting" in a way that might be confused with the business practice of "contracting out" (outsourcing). If you mean a company is hiring external vendors, specify "is contracting out" to prevent the reader from thinking the company is shrinking in size.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is contracting" functions as a present continuous verb phrase. It combines the auxiliary verb "is" with the present participle of the verb "contract". According to Ludwig, this structure is used to indicate an ongoing process of reduction or the current act of acquiring something, such as a debt or a disease.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is contracting" is a highly versatile and correct phrase used to describe the ongoing reduction of size, scope, or value. Ludwig AI shows that it is a staple of economic and scientific discourse, frequently appearing in prestigious outlets like The New York Times and The Economist. Whether used to describe a muscle's movement, an economy's recession, or the acquisition of a pathogen, the phrase maintains a professional and precise tone. Alternatives like "<a href="/s/is+shrinking" target="_blank" rel="alternative">is shrinking" or "<a href="/s/is+declining" target="_blank" rel="alternative">is declining" may be suitable for less formal contexts, but "is contracting" remains the standard for high-level technical and journalistic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is shrinking

More informal and emphasizes physical or size reduction

is declining

Common in statistics and economic trends

is diminishing

Focuses on the loss of power, importance or intensity

is narrowing

Specifically refers to width or range reduction

is decreasing

A neutral, generic term for any reduction in quantity

is subsiding

Used for physical levels or intense situations like storms

is tightening

Often used for credit markets or physical grip

is waning

Poetic or formal, used for influence or interest

is catching

Used specifically for the medical sense of acquiring a disease

is receding

Focuses on moving away from a previous position

FAQs

How to use "is contracting" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an economy or a physical object reducing in size, for example: "The regional economy <a href="/s/is+contracting" target="_blank" rel="alternative">is contracting due to the decline in manufacturing."

What can I say instead of "is contracting"?

Depending on your context, you might use "<a href="/s/is+shrinking" target="_blank" rel="alternative">is shrinking", "<a href="/s/is+declining" target="_blank" rel="alternative">is declining" or "<a href="/s/is+diminishing" target="_blank" rel="alternative">is diminishing".

What's the difference between "is contracting" and "is shrinking"?

While both mean getting smaller, "<a href="/s/is+contracting" target="_blank" rel="alternative">is contracting" sounds more technical or formal, whereas "<a href="/s/is+shrinking" target="_blank" rel="alternative">is shrinking" is common in everyday speech.

Is "is contracting" correct for medical diseases?

Yes, it is used to describe the process of acquiring an illness, though it is often phrased as "contracting a virus" rather than the continuous "<a href="/s/is+contracting" target="_blank" rel="alternative">is contracting" unless the process is being emphasized.