screwing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'screwing' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means to attach, fasten, or tighten something by rotating it in a circular motion. It can also have a slang meaning of engaging in sexual intercourse. Example: He was busy screwing the shelves to the wall when I walked into the room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

McCann swung wildly, screwing the ball right-footed wide of Neil Alexander's left post.

The Guardian - Sport

The London ghouls who turned up to pen United's demise were screwing up their obits within five minutes".

The Guardian

The politics was, as you'd expect, a matter of screwing over Blair.

The Guardian - Opinion

Carefully glue your snowy hill to the inside of the lid, ensuring that it won't stop the lid from screwing back on.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The price of the Democrats screwing up has been the loss of some of Mongolia's treasured autonomy.

The Economist

Oracular visions Screwing the brand names Into the sunrise Mr Mbeki is not amused Gazpromotion A fair bet, but wrong The one-time Lion King ReprintsYet the multinationals are not rejoicing.

The Economist

If opened to all, it could undercut private insurers by "screwing our children and grandchildren", says Regina Herzlinger, a health-care expert at Harvard Business School.The insurers that survive will be those that keep costs under control.

The Economist

All this, he says, means "there is a deep fear terror is not perhaps too strong a word about the risk of IT project failures screwing up the proposed NHS reforms".Ah, but this will be different, respond the optimists, for a number of reasons.

The Economist

ReprintsTowards a third dimensionThe old way of making things involved taking lots of parts and screwing or welding them together.

The Economist

Not so: in December the Ontario government revealed that the deal would in fact cost municipalities C$505m a year, 32% of that to be paid by the new Toronto.Mr Lastman promptly denounced Mr Harris as a liar, and accused him of "screwing" the city: big as it is, the new Toronto is home to only 22% of Ontarians.

The Economist

The words sit there like a taunt, a question, a declaration".I do not believe in screwing the bourgeoisie," Mr Baldessari explained in an interview.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of your audience when using "screwing" due to its informal and sometimes vulgar connotations. In formal writing, consider using more neutral alternatives like "fastening" or "exploiting".

Common error

Avoid using "screwing" in formal or professional settings where its informal or vulgar connotations can be inappropriate. Opt for precise and professional alternatives like "affixing", "securing", or "sabotaging" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "screwing" varies based on context. It can act as a present participle when part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "He was screwing the shelves to the wall"). It can also function as a gerund, a verbal noun (e.g., "Screwing things up is a virtue", as supported by Ludwig examples).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

31%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "screwing" is a versatile word with multiple meanings ranging from the literal act of fastening to informal expressions of exploitation or failure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, but context is crucial. While very common, "screwing" should be used cautiously in formal settings due to its potential for misinterpretation or perceived vulgarity. As seen in Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media outlets as well as encyclopedias, indicating broad but diverse usage. Remember to consider your audience and choose more precise alternatives when formality is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exploiting

Emphasizes the act of taking unfair advantage of someone, mirroring the negative connotation of "screwing over".

fastening

Focuses specifically on the action of attaching or securing something with screws.

taking advantage of

A more formal alternative to "screwing", indicating unfair or unethical exploitation.

attaching

Highlights the action of joining or connecting items together, similar to the mechanical sense of "screwing".

cheating

Focuses on the act of deceiving or acting dishonestly, similar to the exploitative sense of "screwing".

messing up

Emphasizes the act of doing something badly or incorrectly, analogous to causing failure.

botching

Highlights the action of ruining something.

ruining

Focuses on the act of damaging or destroying something, similar to causing failure or negative consequences.

flubbing

Emphasizes the act of making a mistake, similar to causing failure.

goofing up

Highlights the action of making a silly or careless mistake, similar to causing failure.

FAQs

How can I use "screwing" in a sentence?

You can use "screwing" to describe the action of fastening something with a screw, as in "He was busy screwing the shelves to the wall". It can also mean exploiting someone, as in "They are always "taking advantage of" us".

What are some alternatives to "screwing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "fastening", "attaching", "exploiting", or "ruining".

Is it appropriate to use "screwing" in formal writing?

Generally, no. "Screwing" is considered informal and may be inappropriate in formal or professional contexts. Consider using more precise and professional alternatives like "affixing" or "securing".

What does "screwing up" mean?

"Screwing up" means making a mistake or causing something to fail. You can use alternatives like "messing up", "botching", or "flubbing".