overcoming

USAGE SUMMARY

'overcoming' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of managing to get past a difficulty or obstacle. Example sentence: She was successful in overcoming her fears and decided to take the job.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hypnotherapy can work for many people in overcoming shyness, says Gill Ruffles, a hypnotherapist in Bath.

The Guardian

Apsley Cherry-Garrard, one of the survivors of Scott's doomed 1910 expedition, wrote the book as a means of overcoming what would now be diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Guardian - Books

The long process of overcoming mutual suspicions can be traced through the exchange of position papers, secret talks and hastily relocated summits throughout 1984.

The Guardian

Over the next 20 years the world has the chance to embark along a better path of economic growth that gives a much greater chance of managing climate change and overcoming poverty than the old high-carbon route.

The Guardian

But what's more, we occupied to remedy a feeling of profound political alienation and powerlessness: overcoming this was our greatest achievement.

The Guardian

Last night the Black Stars beat the hosts 3-0 in a semi-final that descended into violence when the home fans pelted missiles across the stadium – although the incident didn't dampen Ghana's celebrations after the game: Ivory Coast's qualifier on Wednesday was slightly less eventful, with Les Éléphants overcoming a slight wobble to beat DR Congo 3-1.

The Guardian - Sport

Critics – often on the left – have argued that both "coming to terms with the Nazi past" and "overcoming the legacies of the GDR" might have been failures after all: in the case of the former, the critics claim that Germans have essentially appropriated the victims of the Holocaust in order to feel good about their own efforts in remembrance.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, with little more than 600 postal and pre-poll votes to count, Mirabella's chances of overcoming this deficit is negligible, based on voting trends.

The Guardian

The other obstacle is overcoming end-users' fears over, or objections to, the reuse of faecal matter.

The Guardian

And we need to develop new delivery mechanisms that can stimulate and sustain demand for investment in low carbon options by overcoming the many potential barriers to change.

The Guardian

Overcoming the "motherhood penalty" requires employers to become more creative in their attitudes to flexible working ("I'll need to work from home at least one day a week" commented NormaStanleyFletcher to the crowds of spook-recruiters who are definitely crawling all over Mumsnet right now), and to engage in national conversations about childcare and family-friendly approaches.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overcoming", clearly state the obstacle or challenge being addressed to provide context and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "overcoming" in a sentence without specifying what is being overcome. For example, instead of saying "She is overcoming", specify "She is overcoming her fear of public speaking" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "overcoming" is to act as a present participle or gerund, often describing an action in progress or serving as a noun. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overcoming" is a versatile term used to describe the successful resolution of a challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression across diverse contexts. Its function ranges from acting as a present participle to serving as a noun, emphasizing the act of triumphing over adversity. While generally neutral, ensure the context provides a clear understanding of what is being overcome for maximum impact. Remember to avoid using "overcoming" without specifying the challenge it addresses. From news articles to scientific discussions, mastering the usage of "overcoming" will undoubtedly strengthen your written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surmounting

Focuses on the act of rising above or conquering something.

conquering

Emphasizes defeating or gaining control over an obstacle.

triumphing over

Highlights the successful achievement of overcoming a challenge.

prevailing against

Stresses the act of being victorious despite opposition.

getting over

An idiomatic expression for recovering from a setback or difficulty.

mastering

Implies gaining complete control or proficiency in dealing with something.

vanquishing

Indicates a decisive defeat of an adversary or obstacle.

beating

A more informal term for defeating or overcoming.

rising above

Emphasizes the act of moving beyond limitations or challenges.

negotiating

Focuses on skillfully navigating through a complex situation or difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "overcoming" in a sentence?

Use "overcoming" to describe the action of successfully dealing with or defeating a problem or obstacle. For example: "Overcoming challenges is essential for personal growth."

What are some alternatives to using "overcoming"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "surmounting", "conquering", or "triumphing over".

Is it correct to say "overcoming from" instead of "overcoming"?

No, the correct usage is simply "overcoming". The preposition "from" is not needed after "overcoming". For example: "Overcoming difficulties" is correct, while "overcoming from difficulties" is incorrect.

What's the difference between "overcoming" and "addressing" a problem?

"Overcoming" implies successfully defeating or resolving a problem, while "addressing" simply means dealing with or paying attention to it. You can address a problem without necessarily "overcoming" it.