outweighing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outweighing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the balance of factors, where one factor is considered to have more importance or value than another. Example: "The benefits of the new policy are outweighing the potential drawbacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It says this implies that they are just as likely to be employed as those already here and that adds a further 0.1% to the growth in the economy, outweighing potential falls in productivity in the existing UK labour force.

The Guardian

The classical economist saw the benefits of unlimited consumer choice outweighing the cost of ratio maintenance and the risk of getting caught.

The Guardian - Books

Generation also faces a number of uncertainties under the Government's Electricity Market Reform, coupled with a dearth of obvious buyers, especially as European players appear to currently be retrenching in Europe rather than expanding, and with lower wholesale commodity prices having a number of impacts, with the negatives probably outweighing the positives.

The Guardian - Business

Since 1997, the proportion of lone parents living in workless households has fallen from 51% to 36%: that is a significant victory, far outweighing any of the likely benefits of the marriage tax break.

The Economist

And if more pessimistic assumptions had been used, then the model could have shown the costs outweighing the benefits, the NAO said.None of which offers solace to Londoners.

The Economist

Employment in services rose strongly, outweighing falls in construction and manufacturing.

The Economist

But for the first time, hopes seem to be outweighing the habitual cynicism about Japanese governance.

The Economist

But although Lord Burns has done a good job, one of his findings is in danger of outweighing all the others: namely that the killing of a fox by hounds "seriously compromises the welfare of the fox".

The Economist

David Snoxell, who leads a Chagos support group in Parliament, reckons that funding could come from "a range of donors" including Europe, the United States, development organisations and the private sector.Mr Vincatassin sees the moral cost of inaction as outweighing the financial ones.

The Economist

Only the year-end sums will tell if this wave of fiscal belligerence has won benefits outweighing the costs.

The Economist

Security is an obvious concern, outweighing, for now, the risk that licences may be revoked if branches are not set up within a year.And who can be sure that what has already been achieved will not be undone?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outweighing", ensure that the elements being compared are clearly defined to provide context and clarity to your writing. For example: "The benefits of exercise are outweighing the risks of injury."

Common error

Avoid using "outweighing" without specifying what is being compared. Saying "the positives are outweighing" is vague. Instead, clarify: "The positives of this strategy are outweighing the negatives."

Linguistic Context

The term "outweighing" functions as a present participle or gerund, often acting as part of a verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly describes the action of one thing exceeding another in significance or weight. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in assessing comparative values.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outweighing" is a versatile verb phrase used to express that one element surpasses another in importance or effect. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound and the examples from Ludwig showcase its prevalence in diverse contexts. The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media, and science-related discussions. When using "outweighing", clarity is key; be specific about what is being compared. Alternatives such as "surpassing" or "exceeding" can offer subtle differences in emphasis. Remember to avoid vague comparisons and clearly define the elements involved for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpassing

Emphasizes exceeding or going beyond a limit, quality, or degree.

exceeding

Focuses on surpassing a numerical or quantifiable value.

overbalancing

Highlights the act of causing something to lose equilibrium, either literally or figuratively.

predominating

Suggests a prevailing or dominant influence or presence.

prevailing over

Indicates a victory or dominance in a struggle or competition.

trumping

Implies a decisive victory or superiority, often in a competitive context.

eclipsing

Emphasizes obscuring or diminishing the importance of something else.

overshadowing

Suggests casting a shadow, reducing the prominence or importance of something.

dwarfing

Highlights the immense size difference, making something appear insignificant.

outstripping

Focuses on exceeding in speed, progress, or achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "outweighing" in a sentence?

Use "outweighing" to indicate that one factor is more significant or important than another. For example: "The advantages of this plan are "outweighing" the disadvantages."

What are some alternatives to "outweighing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "surpassing", "exceeding", or "overbalancing".

Is it correct to say "outweighing the benefits"?

While grammatically correct, it's more common to say "the benefits are "outweighing" the risks" or "the benefits of X are "outweighing" the costs of Y". The clearer structure improves readability.

What's the difference between "outweighing" and "balancing"?

"Outweighing" implies that one factor is greater or more important than another, while "balancing" suggests that factors are equal or counteracting each other. "The pros are "outweighing" the cons" indicates that the positives are more significant. "The pros are "balancing" the cons" suggests they are of equal importance and effect.