swing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'swing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb, noun, or adjective. For example: Verb: The young girl swung on the backyard swing. Noun: The new swing was installed in the park. Adjective: The swing's motion was smooth and continuous.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Using these figures and the results of the 2010 general election, the exercise modelled the effects of a uniform swing from the old boundaries to new.

The Guardian

There was a misplaced confidence drawn from the experience of 2010 when a Stakhanovite get-out-the-vote (GOTV) operation saved scores of seats that David Cameron should have bagged, given the national swing to the Tories.

The Guardian - Opinion

A series of pamphlets on the attitudes of swing voters in the South of England (the Southern Discomfort series) paved the way for changes both to policy and electoral strategy.

The Guardian

The former Ukip candidate also claims that the new Conservative MP, whom he has known for about 30 years, handed him a leaflet template attacking Labour's record on immigration that he recommended Rose distribute in the areas of the constituency he highlighted as being home to potential Labour/Ukip swing voters.

The Guardian

Farage is in a swing through northern cities in a bid to capture the Labour vote, and will not welcome this distraction in the opening days of a campaign in which he is hoping to cause a political earthquake by coming first in the popular vote in the European elections.

The Guardian

But Stormont has been suspended for over a year and the deadlock will continue, given the swing towards republican and unionist hardliners.

The Guardian

But now we're going to see the pendulum swing back the other way towards perspective and context.

The Guardian - Tech

In the event, in these constituencies there was an average swing of 1.4% away from us to the Tories.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Yankees outfielder looked exactly like himself against the Blue Jays, using that patented swing to drive an RA Dickey pitch into left field and become just the third player in history to reach the 4,000-hit 4,000-hit, Ty Cobb and Pete Rose being the others.

The Guardian - Sport

The Tories enjoyed a 5.5% swing among over-65s, whom they have shamelessly cultivated with promises to slash inheritance tax and shield pensioners from austerity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: New Scotland polls indicate huge swing from Labour to SNP Make no mistake, Labour's crisis in Scotland is profound.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to political changes, use "swing" to describe a shift in voter preference from one party to another. This is a standard and well-understood term in political discourse.

Common error

Avoid using "swing" interchangeably with other words for movement or change if the specific context requires a more precise term like "rotate", "fluctuate", or "oscillate". The word "swing" often implies an arc or pendulum-like movement.

Linguistic Context

The word "swing" functions primarily as a verb and a noun. As a verb, it denotes movement in an arc or a change in condition. As a noun, it signifies the manner of swinging, a seat suspended for swinging, or a shift in opinion or votes. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples across these uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "swing" is a versatile term with various meanings, from physical motion to political shifts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it can function as a verb, noun, or adjective. Usage is very common, particularly in News & Media, showcasing its relevance in describing events and trends. When writing, consider the context carefully to ensure the most appropriate use. For instance, in political discussions, "swing" accurately describes a shift in voter preference, while in music, it refers to a specific jazz style. Using contextually appropriate synonyms like "oscillate" or "fluctuate" will enhance clarity. The term "swing" should be used carefully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sway

Suggests a gentle, rhythmic movement from side to side or back and forth, often due to external influence.

pendulate

Describes a movement similar to a pendulum, swinging freely from a fixed point.

oscillate

Refers to a regular back-and-forth movement or fluctuation between two points, emphasizing the cyclical nature.

shift

Indicates a change in position, direction, or tendency.

fluctuate

Highlights the irregular rise and fall or change in level of something.

vacillate

Indicates indecision or wavering between different opinions or courses of action.

pivot

Focuses on turning or rotating around a central point.

alternate

Suggests a regular sequence of changes or occurrences.

veer

Implies a sudden change in direction or course.

rebound

Implies a recovery or bounce back from a setback or negative situation.

FAQs

How can "swing" be used in a sentence?

The word "swing" can be used as a noun, verb, or adjective. For example, "He has a smooth golf swing" (noun), "The pendulum swung back and forth" (verb), or "This is a swing state in the election" (adjective).

What are some synonyms for "swing" when referring to political shifts?

In political contexts, consider using "shift", "change", or "realignment" to describe a change in voter preference.

What does it mean when a state is described as a "swing state"?

A "swing state" is a state in which the presidential election is closely contested, and no single candidate or party has overwhelming support. The terms "battleground state" or "toss-up state" are also used.

How does the musical use of "swing" differ from other uses?

In music, "swing" refers to a specific style of jazz characterized by a rhythmic lilt and syncopation. It can also refer to a dance style associated with this music, in which a pair link hands and turn around together in a circle.