refining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of improving or perfecting something, such as a skill, idea, or product. Example: "The team is focused on refining their approach to ensure better results in the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Congressional staff involved in refining the USA Freedom Act since it last passed the House by 303 votes to 121 in May 2014 believe various revisions since have made the bill palatable enough to security hawks in the Senate, though expect possible amendments in the days ahead.

The Guardian

The first is that the NHS has already hosted some experiments with private sector companies developing and refining high-volume surgical procedures.

The Guardian

Pollsters long ago learned the more obvious lessons from such early mishaps, and began refining their numbers to correct for visible flaws in their data.

The Guardian - Opinion

The company had planned to start selling the camera in November 2012, but says it has spent the last six months refining the device.

The Guardian - Tech

Faced with mounting obesity rates and a stubbornly sedentary population, physicians – especially pediatricians – are refining their exhortations that patients need to get more exercise.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The program is aimed at anyone interested in personal or professional development whether that be refining your skills, focusing your ambition or simply broadening your mind and gaining inspiration.

The Guardian

MM Idea: Refining locally sourced cassava into ethanol fuel to provide cleaner cooking fuel.

The Guardian

The programme is aimed at anyone interested in personal or professional development whether that be refining your skills, focusing your ambition or simply broadening your mind and gaining inspiration.

The Guardian

Until recently, however, their use has been confined to projects such as refining the aerodynamic profiles of car bodies, aircraft fuselages and wings.

The Economist

Dr Crow, a physician with an interest in chemistry, was an early researcher into the distillation and maturation of whisky, and is credited with refining the use of "sour mash setback", a way to achieve consistent batches of the mash which, after fermentation is complete, is then distilled.

The Economist

The company continues to pour money into refining the algorithms that power this engine.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refining" when you want to convey a process of gradual improvement and increased precision, especially when dealing with skills, processes, or systems.

Common error

Avoid using "refining" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler terms like "improving" or "tweaking" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "refining" is as a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form of the verb "refine". It describes an ongoing action of improvement or purification, fitting with Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refining" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a verb, indicating an ongoing process of improvement or purification. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for formal, technical, and professional contexts. While adaptable, it's advisable to avoid overuse in casual settings, opting for simpler alternatives. Its frequent usage in news, business, and scientific domains underscores its relevance in conveying precision and optimization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Fine-tuning

Involves making small adjustments to optimize performance.

Improving

Focuses on making something better, similar to refining but less specific.

Optimizing

Aims to achieve the best possible outcome or performance.

Perfecting

Emphasizes achieving flawlessness, a higher degree of refinement.

Streamlining

Focuses on simplifying a process or system.

Honing

Implies sharpening or focusing something, often a skill or technique.

Clarifying

Focuses on making something clearer and easier to understand.

Polishing

Suggests making something smoother or more elegant, a type of refinement.

Purifying

Implies removing impurities or unwanted elements.

Elaborating

Adds detail and complexity, a form of intellectual refinement.

FAQs

How to use "refining" in a sentence?

"Refining" is often used to describe the process of improving something through small changes or adjustments. For example, "The company is constantly "refining" its products based on customer feedback."

What can I say instead of "refining"?

You can use alternatives like "improving", "perfecting", or "fine-tuning" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "refining"?

"Refining" is best used when describing a process of gradual improvement or the act of making something more precise and effective. It's suitable for formal and technical contexts.

What is the difference between "refining" and "improving"?

"Refining" implies a more delicate and precise process of improvement, often involving small adjustments to achieve a higher level of quality or efficiency. "Improving" is a more general term for making something better.