strengthening that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strengthening that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of making something stronger or more effective, often in a specific context or argument. Example: "The new policy is aimed at strengthening that aspect of our community engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Strengthening that side would nourish the solidarity that was September 11th's only gift.

The New Yorker

This deal is about strengthening that supply link and may be followed by similar deals.

The New York Times

As he begins to take the measure of the board that hired him, we suspect he may also see the necessity of strengthening that board.

The New York Times

Despite this potential scenario Pellegrini said he was pleased with his options at centre-back and is not considering strengthening that department in January.

The Guardian - Sport

"I was only following orders" was a defence rejected at the Nuremberg Tribunal after the second world war; since then jurisprudence has grown, strengthening that view.

The Guardian - Opinion

Strengthening that conviction, in my memory, is a beautiful scene filmed, near the end of the writer's life, by Jean Ristat and Raoul Sangla, in which one sees Aragon wandering the esplanade opposite the centre.

The Guardian - Arts

Too many writers, publishers, journals, opportunities – in other words a scene – draw other writers in like water to a drain, strengthening that scene but in doing so weakening the writing scenes in other places.

The Guardian - Books

That would leave the BBC as easily the biggest television and radio news outfit, strengthening that outfit's already tight grip.Rupert Murdoch is an outsize figure in British media and politics.

The Economist

Reporting on Romney Re "When Packaging Oversteps the Facts" (March 25): I am a strong supporter of our democratic system and journalism's role in preserving and strengthening that system.

The New York Times

Strengthening that case is the fact that complicated animals don't sport vastly more genes than do simpler eukaryotes.

Science Magazine

The high strengths are attributed to grain boundary strengthening that is particularly effective due to ordering.

Acta Materialia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "strengthening that", ensure the 'that' clearly refers to a previously mentioned concept or entity to avoid ambiguity. For instance, 'We are strengthening that connection through consistent communication.'

Common error

Avoid using "strengthening that" in overly broad or vague statements. Instead of saying 'We are strengthening that area', specify the area you're referring to, such as 'We are strengthening that sector of the economy'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strengthening that" acts as a gerund phrase functioning as a noun phrase. It references a preceding concept or object and indicates the action of reinforcing or enhancing it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strengthening that" is a versatile phrase used to describe the action of reinforcing a previously mentioned element. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts. While semantically similar alternatives like "reinforcing that" or "enhancing that" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance intended. When employing this phrase, ensure the reference is clear to avoid ambiguity. Its frequency and varied usage across authoritative sources underscore its relevance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reinforcing that

Replaces "strengthening" with "reinforcing", emphasizing the act of providing additional support.

enhancing that

Uses "enhancing" instead of "strengthening", highlighting improvement in quality or value.

fortifying that

Substitutes "strengthening" with "fortifying", suggesting a more defensive or protective action.

bolstering that

Replaces "strengthening" with "bolstering", indicating the act of supporting or improving something.

cementing that

Uses "cementing" to suggest making something more firm and lasting.

developing that

Replaces "strengthening" with "developing", focusing on growth and progression.

cultivating that

Uses "cultivating" instead of "strengthening", implying a careful and gradual improvement.

building upon that

Shifts the focus to adding to an existing foundation, using a more elaborate structure.

furthering that

Emphasizes advancing or promoting something, rather than just making it stronger.

solidifying that

Implies making something more secure and stable, using an alternative word choice.

FAQs

How can I use "strengthening that" in a sentence?

You can use "strengthening that" to refer to a previously mentioned idea or entity that you are making stronger. For example: "The company is investing in new technology, thus "strengthening that" competitive edge."

What are some alternatives to "strengthening that"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "strengthening that" could include "reinforcing that", "enhancing that", or "fortifying that".

Is "strengthening that" formal or informal?

"Strengthening that" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as demonstrated by its use across diverse sources from news articles to scientific papers. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "strengthening that" and "strengthening this"?

The choice between "strengthening that" and "strengthening this" depends on proximity. "That" refers to something further away or previously mentioned, while "this" refers to something closer or about to be mentioned. For example: 'We discussed the need for better security. Strengthening that is our top priority.'