neutral

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "neutral" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person, object, or situation that is neither favoring one side or the other, or has no opinion or stance on a particular issue. For example, "The judge remained neutral throughout the trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it is no less shocking to consider that, far from being neutral as was claimed at the time, it is clear that the government took a deliberately calculated political approach guided by a complete hostility to the coalfield communities.

The Guardian

It benefited from Amec's positivity on the oil and gas sector, and also from news that Nomura had moved from reduce to neutral and raised its price target on Weir from £14 to £18.50.

The Guardian - Business

The Abbott government has raised the ire of Beijing with statements interpreted as supportive of Japan in the dispute, but Carr said the Abbot government had, in fact, been "impeccable neutral" in its approach to the dispute.

The Guardian

The Royal College of Nursing has opposed assisted suicide since 2004, but adopted a neutral stance yesterday after a recent consultation in which almost half (49%) of its members said they supported the policy, while two out of five (40%) said they were against it.

The Guardian

Neutral observers with experience of covering her were also left bemused.

The Guardian

A UN or EU route, ideally in co-ordination, should provide for neutral monitors to be sent within 24 hours to guarantee eastern Ukraine's border with Russia.

The Guardian - Opinion

Above all, it needs to be functional, in a neutral colour match to your skin tone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The final, considerably more neutral compromise asked respondents to evaluate the "changes in Ukraine".

The Guardian

Network Rail said: "As a politically neutral organisation, we do not allow political activity on our stations and this applies to any forms of advertising or campaigning.

The Guardian

A long leader, Memos put an end to the ludicrous idea that Britain's monarchy is politically neutral, made out a reasonable case for disclosure.

The Guardian

Claiming that (largely) unnamed deductions are going to make your tax plan revenue neutral is pretty lame.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for objectivity in your writing, ensure your language remains balanced and avoids favoring any particular viewpoint. Using the word "neutral" helps convey this impartiality.

Common error

Be careful not to use "neutral" when you actually mean indifferent. "Neutral" implies a conscious decision not to take sides, while indifference suggests a lack of interest or concern.

Linguistic Context

The word "neutral" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of impartiality, lack of bias, or absence of strong characteristics. Ludwig provides examples showing its application in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "neutral" is a versatile adjective signifying impartiality and objectivity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Found frequently in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific contexts, "neutral" conveys a lack of bias or strong opinion. When employing "neutral", ensure you're not implying indifference, and aim for balanced language to demonstrate objectivity. Remember to use related terms such as ""impartial"", "unbiased", and "nonaligned" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impartial

Indicates a lack of bias or favoritism towards any particular side or viewpoint.

unbiased

Similar to impartial, emphasizing the absence of prejudice or preconceived notions.

even-handed

Stresses fairness and equal treatment in dealing with different parties or viewpoints.

nonaligned

Specifically refers to not being allied with any particular group or faction, especially in a political context.

objective

Focuses on factual and unbiased assessment, relying on evidence rather than personal feelings.

equitable

Emphasizes fairness and justice in distribution or treatment.

indifferent

Suggests a lack of interest or concern, often implying a lack of preference.

disinterested

Implies a lack of personal stake or involvement, allowing for objective judgment.

uncommitted

Suggests a lack of dedication or support for a particular cause or position.

apolitical

Describes someone or something that is not involved in or related to politics.

FAQs

How to use "neutral" in a sentence?

You can use "neutral" to describe someone or something that does not support any side in an argument or war, or that has no strong features or characteristics. For example, "The referee remained "impartial" throughout the game".

What can I say instead of "neutral"?

You can use alternatives like ""impartial"", "unbiased", or "nonaligned" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "neutral" or "unbiased"?

Both "neutral" and "unbiased" suggest a lack of favoritism. However, "neutral" often refers to not taking sides in a conflict, while "unbiased" refers to lacking prejudice or preconceived notions. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "neutral" and "indifferent"?

"Neutral" means not supporting any side, while "indifferent" implies a lack of interest or concern. For example, a judge should be unbiased, but someone might be indifferent to the outcome of a sports match.