to expressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to expressing" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as it should be "to express" when indicating the action of conveying thoughts or feelings. Example: "She is committed to express her ideas clearly in her presentations."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He came closer to expressing that than anyone in film.

The New Yorker

He was not used to expressing these sorts of feelings.

The New Yorker

"They're used to expressing themselves on Facebook or on Twitter.

The New York Times

Chris Moyles is no shrinking violet when it comes to expressing his opinions on air.

The Guardian

But when it comes to expressing thanks, we tend toward uninspired, joyless missives demanded by protocol.

The New York Times - Magazine

He's getting close to expressing the credo of his musical life.

The Guardian - Music

"It is as near to expressing evil as a design can be".

The Guardian - Books

This is the closest anyone in the book comes to expressing a revolutionary thought.

The New Yorker

In the end she had returned to expressing herself through art.

The Guardian

Fallacious and pathetic as it seems, Ming appears to expressing a very human loneliness.

The Guardian - Film

They are used to expressing themselves – there are quite a few poets and fiction writers now.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the base form of the verb after "to" when indicating purpose or intention. Use "to express" instead of "to expressing".

Common error

Avoid using the gerund form (-ing) of a verb directly after the preposition "to" unless it's part of a phrasal verb or a noun phrase where "to" is integral. For instance, say "I look forward to expressing my gratitude", not "I look forward to expressing my gratitude".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to expressing" functions as a prepositional phrase, but is grammatically incorrect. In most contexts, it's intended to express purpose or intention, similar to how one might use "in order to". However, Ludwig indicates that this construction does not adhere to standard English grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

32%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "to expressing" appears frequently across various sources, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig identifies the correct form as "to express", emphasizing the base form of the verb after the preposition "to". Although examples can be found in news, science, and wiki contexts, its use should be avoided in formal writing. The high frequency in certain domains doesn't validate its correctness, but rather highlights a common error. Therefore, always opt for "to express" or rephrase using alternatives like "in expressing" or "when expressing" to ensure grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to express

Corrects the grammatical error by using the base form of the verb after the preposition "to".

in expressing

Uses the gerund form of the verb after the preposition "in", implying the act of expressing.

when expressing

Indicates the timing or circumstance during the act of expression.

for expressing

Highlights the purpose or reason for expressing something.

regarding the expression of

Formal alternative using a noun form and prepositional phrase.

concerning the expression of

Similar to the previous, but using "concerning" to introduce the topic.

with regard to expressing

A more formal and indirect way to refer to the act of expressing.

related to expressing

Focuses on the connection or relevance to the act of expressing.

about expressing

A simpler way to indicate the topic of expressing something.

aimed at expressing

Focuses on the goal or intention of expressing.

FAQs

What is the correct grammatical form: "to express" or "to expressing"?

The correct grammatical form is "to express". The preposition "to" is typically followed by the base form of the verb.

When is it appropriate to use a gerund after the preposition "to"?

Using a gerund after "to" is appropriate when "to" is part of a noun phrase or a phrasal verb. For example, "I am devoted "to helping" others" or "I am accustomed "to waking" up early".

Are there situations where "to expressing" might be correct?

The phrase "to expressing" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's almost always preferable to use "to express".

What are some alternative ways to phrase a sentence that avoids the "to expressing" construction?

You can rephrase sentences to use alternatives like "in expressing", "when expressing", or "for expressing" depending on the intended meaning. Each of these alters the grammatical structure to correctly incorporate the idea of expressing.