shifting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "shifting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adjective or a verb to refer to a change or movement from one state to another. For example: "The shifting economic landscape of the past year has impacted many businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everything will be covered but there will be some flexibility in shifting things around according to the flow of the workshops and the needs of the students.

The Guardian

Writing days before Abdullah's death, the American author Stephen Kinzer warned that the basis of the west's relationship with the Saudi regime was shifting in fundamental ways, while Saudi Arabia's position in a region beset by insurrection and civil war was ever less secure.

The Guardian

Shifting e-money via the mobile phone network, hawala brokers charge only 5% interest, against a global average of 9% and an African average of 12%.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Tories are in power and Labour is shifting to the right, and the black vote won't change that.

The Guardian - Opinion

Here, to get things shifting, he decided to switch codes.

The Guardian - Sport

The worldwide growth of Imax and the occasional spectacular success of 3D bolsters the case, even if the distribution landscape is shifting and film-makers find themselves with an increasing array of distribution methods.

The Guardian - Film

Past media campaigns have been successful in shifting opinions on both leprosy and HIV affliction.

The Guardian

One solution to this problem could be from task shifting the roles of health professionals beyond the medical profession.

The Guardian

Well no, of course he is, and, of course you're aware of what his views are, and that's why I say part of my job was to manage the situation so that you didn't get into a situation where you were shifting policy.

The Guardian

It was an act of misdirection worthy of a cheap stage magician, shifting responsibility for economic failure onto those who were barely out of primary school when it happened, a shameless act of divide and rule.

The Guardian - Opinion

"There's an urgent need to adapt eurozone budgetary planning to shifting realities," said Klau. "Hollande means it when he calls for a refocusing of the crisis-fighting strategy away from austerity alone to include measures to boost growth.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shifting" to describe gradual changes or adjustments in position, focus, or state. For example, "shifting priorities" or "shifting demographics".

Common error

Avoid using "shifting" when describing sudden, immediate changes. Instead, opt for words like "switching" or "changing" to better convey the rapid transition.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shifting" is as a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form of "shift". It can also function as an adjective, describing something that is changing or moving. Ludwig AI validates these uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "shifting" is a versatile word predominantly employed as a verb, describing ongoing change or movement, or as an adjective to characterize something undergoing transformation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and common usage are well-established. Predominantly found in News & Media, "shifting" conveys gradual adjustments rather than abrupt changes. When opting for alternatives, consider "changing", "moving", or "adjusting" to fine-tune the intended meaning. Avoid misusing "shifting" to describe immediate, instantaneous alterations, as this may lead to miscommunication. Its ubiquitous presence across diverse contexts underscores its importance in conveying nuanced transitions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

changing

Indicates a transformation or modification, similar to shifting, but often implies a more complete or permanent alteration.

moving

Focuses on the act of displacement or relocation, whereas shifting can imply a less drastic change in position or state.

altering

Suggests making something different, often implying an adjustment or modification to its characteristics.

transforming

Implies a significant and dramatic change, unlike "shifting" which can refer to smaller adjustments.

adjusting

Indicates making small changes to achieve a better fit or result, a more controlled version of shifting.

converting

Implies changing from one form or purpose to another, suggesting a complete transformation.

evolving

Suggests a gradual development or unfolding, different from a more immediate or deliberate shift.

varying

Implies changing at irregular intervals, this is a constant changing action.

morphing

Conveys a more radical or fantastical transformation, often used in creative or imaginative contexts.

repositioning

Suggests changing the placement or stance of something, often in a strategic or tactical way.

FAQs

How can I use "shifting" in a sentence?

You can use "shifting" to describe gradual changes or adjustments. For example: "The company is "shifting its focus" to sustainable practices."

What can I say instead of "shifting"?

Alternatives to "shifting" include "changing", "moving", or "adjusting", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "shifting" or "switchting"?

"Shifting" is the correct spelling and usage. "Switchting" is a misspelling. Consider using "switching", which is a related but distinct term.

What's the difference between "shifting" and "transferring"?

"Shifting" generally implies a gradual or partial change, while "transferring" suggests a complete movement from one place or state to another.