Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

orbiting

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "orbiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of moving around a central point or object, often in the context of celestial bodies or metaphorically in other contexts. Example: "The satellite has been orbiting the Earth for over a decade, providing valuable data for scientific research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It gets you tapping on orbiting rings to keep your planety blob out of the black hole in the middle.

At the time, the technology for compressing packets of digital music and voice and transmitting them from orbiting satellites 23,000 miles above the equator to cheap little receivers on the ground was barely on the drawing-board.

News & Media

The Economist

Yet this is the distance to the nearest confirmed exoplanet a planet orbiting a star other than the sun.

News & Media

The Economist

Those orbiting Microsoft work mainly with its operating system, Windows, and its associated software, while those around IBM prefer non-proprietary "open-source" software, such as the Linux operating system.One possibility is that aliens could invade from another metaphorical galaxy.

News & Media

The Economist

Instead, as two recent cases show, when there is a technical problem with a space probe they often manage to detect an unexpected silver lining.On January 10th, for example, a probe called NEAR (Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous) was supposed to start orbiting an asteroid called Eros.

News & Media

The Economist

But these techniques work only with giant planets and, in general, giant planets are gaseous.In this section Optical illusion Buzz off Sticky solution Thought for food Sister Earth ReprintsLooking for planets orbiting red dwarfs is easier because the stars are less massive.

News & Media

The Economist

For decades, physicists at CERN and elsewhere have been trying to overcome these limitations with antihydrogen, which consists of a single positron orbiting a single antiproton.

News & Media

The Economist

Measuring the speeds of various stars, they found a patch in which some of them, instead of orbiting the galactic centre gracefully with the others, appeared to be hot-footing it out of the Milky Way altogether.

News & Media

The Economist

But a moon going around a large planet in such an orbit is saved from such a fate; as it orbits its parent orbiting the star all of its surface will, from time to time, be bathed in the star's welcome light.In the heavens as it is not on EarthMoons orbiting planets far away from their stars may also be more hospitable to life than Earth-sized planets would be in similar orbits.

News & Media

The Economist

Many countries benefit from this non-accountability, even as it fuels mistrust about the security of orbiting satellites, intelligence gathering and the "dual use" of personnel for military purposes.Antarctica is the last unexploited continent.

News & Media

The Economist

As we reported last month, an object surprisingly similar to an astronomical wild-goose from the 19th century, the mythic planet Vulcan, was found orbiting a star dubbed Kepler 10.

News & Media

The Economist
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the motion of celestial bodies, use "orbiting" to convey a precise, gravitationally-bound path. For less technical contexts, consider alternatives like "circling" or "revolving".

Common error

While "orbiting" is technically correct for any circular movement, it can sound overly formal or scientific in casual contexts. Opt for simpler terms like "circling" when describing less formal situations.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

Orbiting functions primarily as a verb, specifically the present participle form of "orbit". It describes the continuous action of moving around a central object in a curved path. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it adheres to standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "orbiting" functions as a verb describing the act of moving around a central object in a curved path, primarily due to gravitational forces. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Its usage is very common, particularly in news and media, as well as science contexts. While technically precise, consider simpler alternatives like "circling" in casual settings. "Orbiting" is suitable for formal to neutral registers and its correct application enhances clarity in both technical and general discourse.

FAQs

How is "orbiting" used in a sentence?

The word "orbiting" is used as a verb to describe the act of moving around a central object in a curved path. For example, "The satellite is orbiting the Earth".

What can I say instead of "orbiting"?

You can use alternatives like "revolving around", "circling", or "moving around" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the word "orbiting"?

"Orbiting" is most appropriate when describing the movement of celestial bodies, satellites, or other objects moving in a gravitationally bound path around another object. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that surrounds or revolves around a central theme or idea.

Is there a difference between "orbiting" and "circling"?

While both words describe movement around a central point, "orbiting" implies a more precise, gravitationally-bound path, often used in scientific or technical contexts. "Circling" is a more general term for moving in a circular path and can be used in more casual contexts.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: