resting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "resting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being inactive or taking a break, often in relation to physical or mental relaxation. Example: "After a long day at work, I enjoy resting on the couch with a good book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once in, I sat on the grass, hoping, hoping, hoping to get a touch of the ball, as it sped over the so, so smooth field, my feet occasionally, rakishly, rebelliously, resting over the rope to show just how cool I was.

The Guardian - Sport

"I think I have some kind of flu, which makes it tough because it's just a matter of resting and keeping hydrated," she said.

The Guardian - Sport

"So you're resting, are you?" they chortle, before grinning at the sheer brilliance of their repartee.

The Guardian

And it's also fair to say that the novel's cover - which, as the Times puts it, "featured a man's hand resting intimately on the seat of a woman's jodhpurs" - was something out of the ordinary for such a mainstream title.

The Guardian - Books

First, though, we are stopped by the gatekeeper of a quite surreal bridge over the Sile canal: it's a ponte a pagamento (toll bridge) resting on second world war pontoons, and we part with 70 cents for the privilege of crossing.

The Guardian - Travel

As people mill around the open-plan kitchen, spilling out into the living room and the garden beyond, he is easily identifiable, perched on a stool, specs resting neatly on the end of his nose.

The Guardian - Travel

(That is, if they are not already discussing it up there in the great central bankers' resting parlour in the sky).

The Guardian - Business

Related: Nicola Sturgeon offers new deal to help Ed Miliband into No 10 In the concrete car park directly across from the ancient abbey of Paisley – resting place of the royal house of Stuart and a place where 19th-century radicals once plotted an overthrow of the government – Black's supporters are more warmly dressed in Puffa jackets and scarves.

The Guardian

Grace Mugabe's recent return from a two-month break in east Asia, where she supposedly was resting after an appendix removal operation, preceded some high-level expulsions from the party.

The Guardian - Opinion

Park Ji-sung, Javier Hernández and even Fletcher are capable of operating in that area but are not natural wide men, with so much now resting on Nani if United are to keep pace with the Premier League title favourites Chelsea, having already fallen four points off the pace.

The Guardian - Sport

I prefer it over a strimmer for fear of harming a slow worm or a resting hedgehog.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing recovery after an illness or injury, use "resting" to emphasize the need for inactivity to heal. For example: "The doctor advised him to keep "resting" to allow his body to recover".

Common error

While "resting" is common, avoid overuse in formal writing. Opt for more precise terms like "reposing", "remaining", or "depending" to convey specific nuances.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "resting" is a present participle acting as a verb in continuous tenses or as an adjective modifying a noun. Ludwig confirms its common usage as a descriptive term for inactivity or dependence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

20%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "resting" is a versatile term with a primarily descriptive function, used to denote a state of inactivity, recuperation, or reliance. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used, as proven by 58 examples. Its register is generally neutral, appearing frequently in news and media, sports, and travel contexts. While common, writers should consider more precise alternatives like "reposing", "remaining", or "depending on" in formal settings. "Resting" can also serve as a euphemism, particularly in the entertainment industry, as well as emphasizing the need for inactivity to heal from illness or injury.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking a break

Emphasizes a temporary pause in activity.

relaxing

Focuses on reducing tension and enjoying leisure.

reposing

Implies a more formal or peaceful state of rest.

lying down

Specifically refers to the act of placing oneself in a horizontal position for rest.

taking it easy

Suggests a relaxed approach to activity, avoiding strenuous effort.

being at leisure

Highlights the freedom from work or obligations.

ceasing activity

Emphasizes the termination of some process or action.

depending on

Shifts the meaning to reliance or contingency.

relying on

Highlights the aspect of trust and dependence.

remaining

Focuses on a state of being in place without movement.

FAQs

How can I use "resting" in a sentence?

"Resting" can be used to describe a state of inactivity, recuperation, or reliance. For example: "She is "resting" after the surgery", or "His argument is "resting" on a flawed premise".

What are some alternatives to "resting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "relaxing", "reposing", "depending on", or "taking a break".

What does it mean when someone says an actor is "resting"?

In the entertainment industry, "resting" is a euphemism for being unemployed or between acting jobs. It's a gentler way of saying the actor is currently out of work.

What is the difference between "resting" and "relaxing"?

"Resting" generally implies a state of inactivity aimed at physical or mental recovery, while "relaxing" suggests a more active process of reducing tension and enjoying leisure. You can be "relaxing" while "resting", but not necessarily vice versa.