to offset

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to offset" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in various situations to mean to balance or counteract something. Here are some examples: 1. The company implemented cost-cutting measures to offset the impact of the economic downturn. 2. A healthy diet and exercise can help to offset the negative effects of stress on the body. 3. The government plans to increase taxes on the wealthy to offset the budget deficit. 4. The benefits of recycling are tremendous and can help to offset the damage caused by pollution. 5. She used her savings to offset the cost of purchasing a new car. In each of these examples, "to offset" is used to indicate a counterbalancing or compensating effect.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How much goes to offset health consequences?

The New York Times

I try to offset it.

The Guardian

To offset the sweetness of the tomatoes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Your Prius isn't going to offset that.

Independent

"That's enough to offset retail sales data".

The New York Times

Acts of kindness have tried to offset this.

The New York Times

But Pfizer moved quickly to offset the recommendations.

The New York Times

Teams are looking hard for sponsors to offset costs.

The New York Times

He tried to offset his 10 points with 22 rebounds.

The New York Times - Sports

It'll take us a long time to offset it".

The New York Times

Either remedy would tend to offset any federal stimulus.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to offset", ensure that the subject performing the offsetting action is clearly identified, and the element being offset is equally clear. For example: 'The company increased its renewable energy investments to offset its carbon emissions.'

Common error

Avoid using "to offset" when a complete removal or cancellation is intended. "Offset" implies a balance or compensation, not a full elimination. For full removal, consider verbs like "eliminate" or "eradicate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to offset" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used. It clarifies the reason for performing an action, namely, to counterbalance or compensate for something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to offset" is a versatile infinitive construction used to express the intention of counterbalancing or compensating for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English. Its function as an infinitive of purpose is to clarify the motivation behind an action, as demonstrated by various examples. From academic sources to news articles, "to offset" finds application across diverse contexts, making it a valuable tool for clear and effective communication. When using "to offset", remember that it is typically to show a balance or compensation not a full elimination and make sure the subject is clearly identified. Related phrases include "to counteract", "to compensate for" and "to balance out".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to counteract

Focuses on directly opposing or neutralizing an effect.

to compensate for

Emphasizes providing something to make up for a loss or disadvantage.

to balance out

Highlights achieving equilibrium or stability by counteracting forces.

to make up for

Suggests restoring a deficiency or rectifying a wrong.

to negate

Indicates cancelling out or nullifying an effect.

to neutralize

Implies rendering something harmless or ineffective by counteraction.

to counterbalance

Stresses the use of an opposing weight or force to maintain equilibrium.

to mitigate

Focuses on reducing the severity or impact of something negative.

to correct for

Emphasizes adjusting for errors or discrepancies.

to cushion the effect of

Highlights lessening the impact or force of something.

FAQs

How can I use "to offset" in a sentence?

Use "to offset" to indicate a counterbalancing action. For example, "Increased marketing efforts are needed to offset declining sales".

What's a good substitute for "to offset"?

Alternatives include "to counteract", "to compensate for", or "to balance out", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "offset to" instead of "to offset"?

The standard and grammatically correct form is "to offset". "Offset to" is not typically used in this context.

What's the difference between "to offset" and "to counteract"?

"To offset" suggests a balancing action, while "to counteract" implies a direct opposition or neutralization of something. The choice depends on whether you're aiming to balance or directly oppose an effect.