swing between

USAGE SUMMARY

'swing between' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a situation where there are two distinct options that a person or thing is regularly switching between, usually at regular intervals. For example, "The temperature will swing between freezing and warm for the next few days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead, they focus their attentions on the states that tend to swing between the two parties.

BBC

Isn't it funny how you can swing between pessimism and optimism within seconds?

The Guardian - Sport

— I can swing between constipation and diarrhea.

The New Yorker

The Sid-grams swing between the casual and the formal.

The Washington Post

Many farmers live in states that swing between parties.

The New York Times

The negative swing between the two figures is $1.65 billion.

The New York Times

For example, financial regulatory systems tend to swing between overregulation and underregulation, making equilibrium impossible.

Harvard Business Review

Both come across as versatile actors who are able to swing between antics and dramatic effect.

The New York Times

Ms. Treib's colors swing between saturated and pale, avoiding straightforward primaries.

The New York Times - Arts

He doesn't swing between poles of rage and depression, and he has a country singer's relaxation.

The New York Times - Arts

It is the 37-point swing between the two teams from the same stage last season.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "swing between" to describe situations where there is a regular or somewhat predictable alternation between two states, options, or qualities. This phrase works well when highlighting the contrast or variability between these two poles.

Common error

Avoid using "swing between" when the alternation is random or unpredictable. If there is no discernible pattern to the changes, a phrase like "vary between" or "fluctuate between" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "swing between" typically functions as a verb phrase, indicating a dynamic action of alternating or oscillating between two defined states, conditions, or options. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "swing between" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a consistent alternation between two distinct states, options, or qualities. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, including news, science, and business. Its primary function is to emphasize the oscillation or fluctuation between these two defined possibilities. While it's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it is essential to ensure the alternation isn't entirely random; otherwise, alternatives like "vary between" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alternate between

Emphasizes a regular, back-and-forth change.

fluctuate between

Suggests irregular variations between two points.

oscillate between

Implies a rhythmic movement between extremes.

shift between

Indicates a change in position or focus.

veer between

Implies a sudden change in direction or opinion.

seesaw between

Suggests an alternating movement like a seesaw.

yo-yo between

Likens the alternation to the up-and-down motion of a yo-yo.

waver between

Suggests indecision or uncertainty in choosing between two options.

vacillate between

Implies a hesitant or unsteady alternation.

move back and forth between

A more verbose way of describing alternating movement or state.

FAQs

How can I use "swing between" in a sentence?

You can use "swing between" to describe alternating states. For example, "The market seems to "swing between" optimism and pessimism." It demonstrates a regular change between the two states.

What are some alternatives to "swing between"?

Alternatives include phrases like "alternate between", "fluctuate between", or "oscillate between", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each has a slightly different implication regarding the regularity and nature of the change.

Is "swing between" formal or informal?

"Swing between" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its versatility allows it to be used in news articles, academic papers, and casual conversations without sounding out of place.

What's the difference between "swing between" and "vary between"?

"Swing between" suggests a more regular or predictable alternation, while "vary between" simply indicates that something differs within a range. If the change is somewhat cyclical, ""swing between"" is more appropriate; if it's random, "vary between" is a better choice.