looping

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "looping" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a process that is repeated or continuous, such as in the sentence, "My brain kept looping around the same thought all day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Continue looping round from Epernay to Cuisles (12 miles), before the final 12-mile home stretch into Reims.

The Guardian - Travel

Via his YouTube alias, sunsetcorp, there was his version – or "echo jam", as Lopatin labels it – of Chris de Burgh's ghastly 80s hit Lady in Red, which used various synth and looping techniques to transform it into a work of such disarming, heart-rending beauty that it prompted comments ranging from "the single greatest experience I have ever had" to "the sole reason YouTube should exist".

The Guardian - Music

I visited Marseille, Lyon and Lille, moving from the south to the north, from Le Midi (Mediterranean) to La Manche (the English Channel) – finally looping back to Paris, where I live.

The Guardian

Just over 16 miles of looping riverwalk, best taken at a stroll.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The pair may have exchanged words then, and they certainly did when in Panesar's next over, Moore failed to middle a pull, and Jaik Mickleburgh took a looping catch at mid wicket.

The Guardian - Sport

At their breathtaking best, their passes flicker around the court as fast as their thoughts, some looping high overhead, taken one-handed on the leap, others bouncing down at ankle height.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Cotterill's 13th-minute shot, from the edge of thearea, looped off Cook and behind for a corner after the latter had been caught in possession.

The Guardian - Sport

The funk, the cycling looped guitars, Afrobeat and Rave.

The Guardian - Music

The ball looped to the legside, and Foster dived to take a good catch.

The Guardian - Sport

Taxi drivers have to loop around to find it, you have to walk through a semi-construction area to get there from the SkyBus, and once you arrive – gloom descends.

The Guardian - Travel

The course loops a 10km lap around the Kim il-Sung's stadium, with those who choose the full marathon having to complete the course in 4 hours or less.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing iterative processes in technical writing, use "looping" to convey the concept of repeating a set of instructions or actions until a specific condition is met.

Common error

Avoid using "looping" to describe events that are not cyclical or repetitive. For instance, saying "the story is looping" when you mean it's confusing is inaccurate; instead, consider using words like "convoluted" or "complex".

Linguistic Context

The word "looping" primarily functions as a verb, often in its present participle form (-ing), to describe the action of forming a loop or repeating a process. Ludwig provides examples where it describes paths, processes, and actions characterized by repetition or cyclical movement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

23%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "looping" is a versatile verb form that effectively conveys the concept of cyclical or repetitive actions and paths. As indicated by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and finds frequent application across various domains. Its usage spans from describing physical movements, as seen in examples from The Guardian and The Economist, to technical processes highlighted in Encyclopedia Britannica. While the formality varies depending on the context, "looping" generally maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for a wide array of written and spoken communications. Be mindful of its specific cyclical connotation to avoid misuse in non-repetitive contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

iterating

Focuses on the repetition of a process or sequence, similar to looping but emphasizes the repetitive action.

repeating

Highlights the act of doing or saying something again, akin to looping but with a more straightforward emphasis on recurrence.

circling

Emphasizes movement in a circular path, related to looping in terms of cyclical action or physical trajectory.

revolving

Indicates movement around a central point, similar to looping when describing cyclical processes or patterns.

cycling

Suggests a sequence of events that repeats in a specific order, related to looping in terms of repetitive actions or patterns.

orbiting

Focuses on movement in a curved path around an object, reminiscent of looping in describing paths or patterns.

spiraling

Highlights a winding or turning course, similar to looping when describing intricate or complex cyclical movements.

recurrent

Emphasizes the reappearance of something, related to looping in terms of repeated occurrences or cycles.

recursive

Describes a process that repeats itself, often in a computer science context, linking to looping in terms of iterative actions.

continuous

Indicates an ongoing or unbroken sequence, similar to looping when describing processes without interruption or end.

FAQs

How can I use "looping" in a sentence?

You can use "looping" to describe a process that repeats, like, "The program is "looping" through the data to find matches", or to describe a physical path, such as, "The road is "looping" around the mountain".

What are some alternatives to using "looping"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "iterating", "repeating", or "circling".

Is "looping" a formal or informal word?

"Looping" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in technical, scientific, or descriptive writing. In casual conversation, simpler words like "repeating" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "looping" and "spiraling"?

"Looping" generally refers to a path or process that forms a loop or repeats cyclically. "Spiraling" implies a winding or turning course that moves around a central point, often moving further away or closer in each rotation.