tinkering with

USAGE SUMMARY

"tinkering with" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something making small and deliberate changes or adjustments to something. For example, "The team has been tinkering with the design of their new product for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tinkering with the universe.

The New Yorker

Tinkering with constitutions is a risky business.

The Economist

And how are they tinkering with them?

The New Yorker

Joe is tinkering with the scene.

The New Yorker

"Tinkering with this will not work.

The New York Times

The Assembly is tinkering with similar reforms.

The New York Times

I'm tinkering with it now.

The New Yorker

The Giants started tinkering with their formula.

The New York Times - Sports

Advertising agencies are also tinkering with formats.

The New York Times

Tinkering with tradition can be risky.

The New Yorker

Textual tinkering with the classics rarely works.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tinkering with" when you want to convey the idea of making small, experimental adjustments to something, often in a playful or exploratory manner.

Common error

While "tinkering with" is generally acceptable, in highly formal or professional writing, consider using more precise terms like "adjusting", "modifying", or "fine-tuning" to maintain a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tinkering with" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used with a direct object, indicating an action of making small, experimental adjustments. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tinkering with" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes making small, experimental adjustments. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is typically used in neutral contexts, although it may be less appropriate for formal writing. Its communicative purpose is to convey the idea of iterative improvement, and it commonly appears in news and media sources. When more formality is required, consider using synonyms like "adjusting" or "modifying".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tweaking

Similar to "tinkering", but can imply a slightly more technical or precise adjustment.

fine-tuning

Suggests making very small, precise adjustments to optimize performance.

adjusting

Focuses on the act of making fine changes to achieve a better fit or result. Doesn't inherently imply experimentation.

making minor adjustments to

Explicitly states the small scale and adjustive nature of the actions.

modifying

Suggests a more formal or significant alteration than "tinkering with".

altering slightly

Indicates a small degree of change or modification.

experimenting on

Emphasizes the exploratory nature of the changes, often without a clear goal.

playing around with

Implies a more casual and less serious approach to making changes.

meddling with

Carries a negative connotation, implying unwanted or unnecessary interference.

fooling around with

Suggests a lack of seriousness or skill in making changes.

FAQs

What does "tinkering with" mean?

The phrase "tinkering with" means making small changes or adjustments to something, often in an experimental or exploratory way. It suggests a hands-on approach to problem-solving or improvement.

What are some alternatives to "tinkering with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "adjusting", "modifying", "experimenting on", or "fine-tuning".

Is "tinkering with" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "tinkering with" is more suited for informal or neutral contexts. For formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "adjusting" or "modifying".

How can I use "tinkering with" in a sentence?

You can use "tinkering with" to describe making small changes to improve something. For example, "The engineer is always tinkering with the engine to improve its performance".