practicing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'practicing' is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used as a gerund, as in "I am practicing piano." It can also be used as a verb, as in "She is practicing medicine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And I have some regrets, such as not practicing enough timed essays, and of course the unexpected grade in biology.

The Guardian

If rideable, with wind not lashing against us, we clamber hastily into our wetsuits and lift foam surfboards to the beach, practicing our statue-like pop ups on the sand, before paddling out to the real thing.

The Guardian - Travel

It's also good for people who have been practicing corporate sustainability for a while to be exposed to different stuff, she added.

The Guardian

I have been practicing my mime lately and my fellows tell me I am effective as a Mars bar up a tree.

The Guardian

Kwachu petitions Cameroonian parliamentarians for support of anti-discrimination legislation that proposes a 10-year prison sentence for those caught practicing the custom.

The Guardian

It's okay not to punish people for practicing their religion when it doesn't really hurt anyone.

The Economist

As Mr Laycock says, "we should not punish people for practicing their religion unless we have a very good reason".

The Economist

They rest on the sound premise that we should not punish people for practicing their religion unless we have a very good reason".

The Economist

COMPRISING more than 13,500 islands sprawled across almost 2m square kilometres, home to 250m people speaking over 700 languages and practicing virtually every religion on earth, Indonesia's only real rival for the title of "most diverse country on earth" is India.

The Economist

Living under a false name with a long white beard and practicing alternative medicine near Belgrade, he hardly had the kind of disguise that would stump the world's top cops.As Mr Karadzic gets carted off to the Hague, who is responsible for the astounding freedom enjoyed for a decade by a man some consider worse than Saddam Hussein?

The Economist

However, as a medical student, I often wondered if I really wanted to be a practicing doctor in a hospital, or use my passion for innovation and technology to benefit the field of medicine.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing professional activities, use "practicing" to emphasize active engagement in a field. For example, "a practicing physician" conveys more than just "a physician."

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "practicing" excessively in extremely formal writing where more precise verbs like "implementing", "executing", or "applying" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "practicing" is that of a verb in its present participle form. It can also function as a gerund or a participle adjective. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this word is usable and correct in written English. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this word across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practicing" is a versatile term functioning primarily as a verb, gerund, or participial adjective. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, providing numerous examples across diverse contexts. Its communicative purpose ranges from describing ongoing actions to emphasizing skill development or professional engagement. While its register is generally neutral, careful consideration of context is key. Common uses include discussing skill improvement, professional activities, and religious observance. Avoid overuse in overly formal contexts where more precise verbs may be preferable. With its widespread application across news media, science, and formal business, mastering the use of "practicing" is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engaging in

This alternative is a more general term, implying involvement in an activity without necessarily suggesting repetition or skill development.

performing

This term emphasizes the act of carrying out a specific action or task, often with a focus on execution.

carrying out

Similar to "performing", this phrase highlights the completion of a task or process.

pursuing

This term implies a dedicated effort towards achieving a goal or developing a skill.

undertaking

This suggests a more formal and deliberate engagement with a task or activity.

working at

This implies consistent effort and labor towards improving a skill or maintaining a profession.

devoted to

This phrase highlights a strong commitment and dedication to a particular activity or profession.

training in

This highlights the process of learning and developing skills in a particular area.

applying

This alternative focuses on putting knowledge or skills into practical use.

in the act of

This is a more literal description of someone being observed while they perform some task.

FAQs

How can I use "practicing" in a sentence?

You can use "practicing" as a verb, for example: "She is practicing the piano." It can also be used as an adjective, like in the phrase "a practicing doctor".

What are some synonyms for "practicing"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "engaging in", "performing", or "applying".

Is it correct to say "practicing medicine"?

Yes, "practicing medicine" is a common and correct phrase that means actively working as a medical doctor.

What's the difference between "practicing" and "rehearsing"?

"Practicing" generally refers to repeatedly performing an activity to improve a skill, while "rehearsing" specifically means practicing for a performance, such as a play or concert.