tackling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tackling" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of addressing or dealing with a problem or challenge. Example: "The team is tackling the issue of climate change with innovative solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If history is anything to go by, he will delegate economic policy to technocrats, and focus his own energies on tackling insecurity and reducing corruption in government.

The Guardian - Opinion

The G8 meeting I chaired in Northern Ireland also forged a ground-breaking initiative to stop the true owners of companies hiding behind a veil of secrecy, tackling the cancer of corruption that does so much to destroy countries and increase the risk to our own security.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was another alarm for the Saints in the last minute when Myler was injured in tackling the Saracens hooker, Jamie George.

The Guardian - Sport

Bennett's keynote conference speech sought to broaden the appeal of the party by tackling more than simply environmental concerns.

The Guardian

Katherine Brown, director of the Institute of Alcohol Studies thinktank, said: "Before addressing individual drinkers it's important to begin by tackling the problem at the source, making it less easy to access cheap strong drink in supermarkets at all hours.

The Guardian

Both Labour and Tories are now committed to stronger action to tackling Islamophobia, antisemitism and other forms of hate crime.

The Guardian

About £6bn would come from tackling tax avoidance and £12bn from departmental spending cuts.

The Guardian

He describes it as a first step towards tackling other vested interests in the political system.

The Guardian - Opinion

It adds (p33/4): "Our aim is to deliver a future-proofed infrastructure that will establish world-class digital connectivity across Scotland by 2020, including tackling the digital divide.

The Guardian - Tech

They say that prosecuting professionals for "so-called FGM" in such circumstances distracts people from tackling the real issues, which are girls being sent abroad for FGM or having it done in the UK and combatting cultural attitudes in countries where it is endemic.

The Guardian

Despite this, Australia has never had a national strategy for tackling antimicrobial resistance until now.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "addressing", "confronting", or "combating" to avoid repetition and enhance the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "tackling" in vague or overly broad contexts. Instead of saying "We are tackling issues," specify which issues are being addressed for a more precise and impactful statement. For instance, use "We are tackling climate change" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tackling" is as a present participle, often functioning as part of a continuous verb tense or as a gerund, indicating an ongoing action. Ludwig examples show it used to describe the act of addressing or dealing with problems, issues, or challenges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Tackling" is a very common term used to describe the action of addressing or confronting an issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and versatile, fitting diverse contexts from news reports to business strategies. While generally neutral in tone, it implies proactive effort, making it suitable for portraying active engagement. When writing, be specific about what you are "tackling" to maintain clarity and consider synonyms like "addressing" or "confronting" for variety. Top sources like The Guardian frequently use "tackling", underscoring its prevalence in quality writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

addressing

Focuses more on directly speaking to or confronting the issue.

dealing with

Emphasizes the process of managing or handling a situation.

confronting

Highlights a direct and often challenging engagement with the problem.

combating

Implies a struggle or fight against something negative.

grappling with

Suggests a difficult or complex struggle to understand or resolve something.

overcoming

Focuses on successfully resolving or defeating a challenge.

resolving

Emphasizes finding a solution or end to a problem.

managing

Focuses on controlling and directing resources to handle a situation.

handling

Implies a practical and efficient approach to dealing with something.

undertaking

Highlights the act of committing to or starting a task or challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "tackling" in a sentence?

"Tackling" is often used to describe addressing a problem or challenge. For example, "The government is tackling poverty" or "The athlete is tackling his training with renewed vigor."

What are some alternatives to saying "tackling"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "addressing", "confronting", "combating", or "dealing with".

Is it correct to use "tackling" in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "tackling" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though its suitability depends on the specific situation and the tone you wish to convey. In more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "addressing" or "resolving".

What is the difference between "tackling" and "overcoming"?

"Tackling" implies the action of confronting or addressing a challenge, while "overcoming" suggests successfully conquering or resolving the challenge. You tackle a problem to eventually overcome it.