skirting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'skirting' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this word when referring to the molding or trim that is used around the base of walls. For example: "We chose wood skirting to give the room a classic, timeless feel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You're skirting around the edge of the danger zone on this one already, by trilling about films from Fox and their star "Geo Clooney" deserving Oscars.

The Guardian - Opinion

Alex Salmond clearly regarded the 45% yes vote as more of a lost battle than a lost war; he spoke of Scotland's "100-year home rule journey", skirting over the fact that much of the journey had concerned devolution rather than independence, more autonomy within the UK rather than full independence outside it.

The Guardian

While skirting the thorny subject of Greece, which has repeatedly drawn on emergency funds from the ECB through its Emergency Liquidity Assistance scheme, Draghi issued a strong defence of the bank's quantitative easing policy.

The Guardian - Business

Be audacious with skirting boards: white is outdated.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The sun emblazoned the white houses skirting the Moorish castle, and Janet and I toyed with a crossword while enjoying an aperitif.

The Guardian - Travel

This long, largely paved highway actually runs the length of the country, skirting the Andes, and the Patagonian section runs past all the towns listed below.

The Guardian - Travel

Asked if acting is a release for him, he begins by skirting the question.

The Guardian - Film

Related: How Amsterdam became the bicycle capital of the world Skirting the Hague, we turned inland, through farming country.

The Guardian - Travel

"He wasn't skirting the foreign ministry.

The Guardian

Today it may be the quietest part of Brooklyn: no industry, no traffic (you can't get anywhere from here), a subway just skirting the northern fringes.

The Economist

In the north-east of the country, seven states linked to the rest of India by a narrow "chicken's neck" skirting Bangladesh, secessionist movements are rife.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "skirting" to describe avoiding a topic, ensure the context makes it clear you're referring to indirectness rather than physical movement.

Common error

Avoid using "skirting" when you mean completely ignoring something. "Skirting" implies some level of awareness or contact, even if indirect.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "skirting" is a verb, often used as a present participle or gerund. Ludwig AI provides examples showing its usage both in literal senses, describing physical movement along an edge, and in metaphorical senses, indicating avoidance of a topic or issue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "skirting" functions primarily as a verb, signifying movement along an edge or metaphorical avoidance. Ludwig AI shows examples highlighting its use in various contexts, predominantly in news, encyclopedias and science. The word is grammatically correct and commonly used, but it's important to consider the connotation of indirectness, ensuring it aligns with the intended meaning. Related phrases include "bypassing", "avoiding", and "evading", which offer similar but nuanced alternatives. As Ludwig AI confirms, "skirting" is a versatile term with both literal and figurative applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bypassing

Suggests going around something, often to avoid an obstacle or issue.

avoiding

A general term for keeping away from something.

evading

Implies skillfully avoiding something, typically something unpleasant or dangerous.

circumventing

Indicates finding a way around rules or restrictions.

sidestepping

Suggests moving to the side to avoid something.

bordering

Refers to being adjacent to or forming a boundary.

skipping over

Suggests omitting or ignoring something, often in a cursory manner.

dancing around

Indicates avoiding a direct discussion or confrontation.

grazing

Implies lightly touching or passing along the surface.

detouring

Implies taking an alternate route to bypass something.

FAQs

How to use "skirting" in a sentence?

You can use "skirting" to describe physically moving along an edge or to metaphorically describe avoiding a topic. For example, "The road was skirting the coastline" or "He was skirting the issue during the interview".

What can I say instead of "skirting"?

You can use alternatives like "bypassing", "avoiding", or "evading" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say someone is "skirting around" a problem?

Yes, "skirting around" is a common and acceptable idiom that means to avoid dealing directly with a problem or issue.

What is the difference between "skirting" and "ignoring" an issue?

"Skirting" implies some awareness and indirect engagement with the issue, while "ignoring" means completely disregarding or paying no attention to it.