offset by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "offset by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that one thing counteracts or balances another, often in financial or quantitative contexts. Example: "The increase in costs was offset by a rise in sales, resulting in a stable profit margin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mockery offset by respect.

The Guardian

The raunchiness is offset by traditional tropes.

The New York Times

And they can be offset by losses.

The New York Times

But alarms are offset by pleasure.

The Guardian - Books

This was offset by strong performances elsewhere.

The Guardian - Business

This kind of depth is offset by a certain zaniness.

The New York Times - Arts

It paid its way – new spending was offset by cuts.

The Guardian

Court-ordered damages would not be offset by charity.

The New York Times

This will have been partly offset by dividends.

The Guardian - Money

Happier images like these are offset by painful ones.

The New York Times - Arts

That deficit must be offset by money from abroad.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "offset by" to clearly indicate that one factor diminishes or balances the effect of another. This provides a transparent view of how different elements interact, particularly in financial or analytical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "offset by" when the relationship is reversed. Ensure that the element following "offset by" is the one mitigating or counteracting the initial effect, not the cause of it. For example, it should be "losses were offset by gains", not "gains were offset by losses" if the intention is that gains reduced the impact of losses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "offset by" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a counteracting or balancing effect. It connects two elements where one mitigates or reduces the impact of the other, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples like "This was offset by strong performances elsewhere."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

24%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "offset by" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that one factor mitigates or counterbalances another. As Ludwig AI confirms, its most frequent use is in news and business contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that you clearly establish the relationship between the two elements, with the element following "offset by" being the one that lessens the impact of the first. While alternatives like "counterbalanced by" or "compensated by" exist, "offset by" is a reliable and widely understood choice for conveying this meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

counterbalanced by

This alternative suggests a balancing of opposing forces or effects.

counteracted by

This alternative suggests direct opposition and cancellation of effect.

compensated by

This implies that something is making up for or neutralizing something else.

balanced by

Suggests equilibrium is achieved through opposing forces.

neutralized by

Suggests that an effect is being cancelled out or made ineffective.

made up for by

This alternative indicates that something is compensated by another, restoring balance.

mitigated by

Indicates a lessening of severity or impact.

rectified by

Implies something is corrected or made right by another factor.

alleviated by

Implies a reduction in pain, difficulty, or severity.

reduced by

Indicates a decrease in amount, size, or intensity due to another factor.

FAQs

How can I use "offset by" in a sentence?

Use "offset by" to show that one thing reduces or cancels out the effect of another. For instance, "The cost of the project was "partially offset by" government grants."

What's a good alternative to "offset by"?

Consider using "counterbalanced by", "compensated by", or "neutralized by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "offsetted by" instead of "offset by"?

While "offset" can be used as a verb, "offset by" is the more common and grammatically sound phrasing when describing a mitigating effect. "Offsetted" is less frequently used and may sound awkward in certain contexts.

What is the difference between "offset by" and "compensated for by"?

"Offset by" typically implies a direct reduction or cancellation of an effect, whereas "compensated for by" suggests that something is provided to make up for a deficiency or loss. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing a balance or a replacement.