selecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "selecting" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that describes the act of choosing or picking something from a group of other things. For example: The teacher asked the students to select an idea for the next group project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yes, there may be others doing stuff – local organisers selecting restaurants, paper selection committees etc.

The Guardian

Related: Charlie Hebdo row leads to Facebook fallout between Salman Rushdie and Francine Prose The letter, printed in full on The Intercept, says that by selecting Charlie Hebdo, PEN is "valorising selectively offensive material: material that intensifies the anti-Islamic, anti-Maghreb, anti-Arab sentiments already prevalent in the western world".

The Guardian - Books

"At Herald Sun we are selecting certain articles over next few weeks to monitor effect on subscriptions, social shares, mobile and traffic", the email says.

The Guardian

Rather than manually selecting what you want to download, there is one button that allows you to download your homescreen and your favourites.

The Guardian

Twenty years ago, selecting a restaurant was a matter of luck and budget.

The Guardian - Travel

He appeared to rule out the possibility of England looking to the future when selecting the team for the remaining two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, now that the Ashes have gone, and looking to introduce more youth following the stunning success of Ben Stokes on his second Test appearance in Perth.

The Guardian - Sport

And, damningly, as England scrambled for survival in Sweden, questions were asked as to why Powell had insisted on selecting six injured players for her squad and sticking with them instead of Arsenal's most exciting young talent this season, the midfielder Jordan Nobbs.

The Guardian - Sport

But we also need to take serious care before selecting targets for blame.

The Guardian

They are planning on selecting the best picture drawn of Rasulullah (saws) in texas," the user wrote, using another name for Muhammad.

The Guardian

"You're selecting the actors as an investment and you need to give new talent as many opportunities as possible.

The Guardian

The skill of Blythe and Cork was in selecting which sentences from the verbatim text to set.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a selection process, clarify the criteria used for "selecting" to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "selecting" when "electing" is more appropriate. "Electing" refers specifically to choosing someone for a political office or position by vote, while "selecting" is a more general term for choosing from a range of options.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "selecting" is to act as a verb in its present participle form, often used in continuous tenses or as a gerund. As Ludwig AI illustrates, it describes an ongoing process of making a choice from available options.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "selecting" functions as a verb, indicating the action of choosing something carefully from a set of options. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used. It's particularly common in "News & Media" and "Formal & Business" contexts. For clarity, be specific about the selection criteria in your writing. If referring to a political choice, consider using "electing" instead. Alternatives like "choosing" or "opting for" can add variety. All in all, "selecting" is a versatile and frequently used term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

choosing

Focuses on the act of picking something from a range of possibilities.

picking out

Implies a more careful or discerning selection.

opting for

Suggests a deliberate choice between alternatives.

deciding on

Highlights the decision-making aspect of the selection.

drawing from

Emphasizes the source from which the selection is made.

handpicking

Implies a careful and personal selection.

identifying

Focuses on recognizing and singling out a specific item or element.

sifting through

Suggests a process of reviewing many options to find the best one.

winnowing

Means to narrow down selections, implying a reduction in number.

curating

Implies gathering elements or items usually around a theme, or with some specific purpose.

FAQs

How do I use "selecting" in a sentence?

"Selecting" is the present participle of the verb "select", used to describe the action of choosing. For example: "The committee is "selecting" the finalists for the award."

What can I say instead of "selecting"?

You can use alternatives like "choosing", "picking out", or "opting for" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "selecting" and "choosing"?

While "selecting" and "choosing" are often interchangeable, "selecting" sometimes implies a more deliberate or careful process of picking from a set of options.

When should I use "selecting" over "choosing"?

Use "selecting" when you want to emphasize the process of carefully picking from a range of options, especially when specific criteria are involved. "Choosing" is a more general term for making a decision.