tuning

USAGE SUMMARY

"tuning" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as either a noun or a verb. Example sentence: The guitar players spent hours tuning their instruments for the concert.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

The reality about televised debates is that viewers are mostly tuning in to have their already formed prejudices confirmed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those tuning in on HBO Now to this Sunday's season premiere to find out what is going on with Tyrion Lannister and Arya Stark shouldn't experience any of those issues.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Double congratulations to Arctic Monkeys, Disclosure and Basti-mental!" Despite the artist's reaping the rewards of the show's exposure however, this year's Brits pulled in its lowest audience for a live broadcast of the show with nearly 2 million fewer viewers than last year, with an average of 4.6 million people tuning in.

The Guardian - Music

A lot of straight men who could be tuning in to sports channels watch this show.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

7.44pm GMT/2.44pm ET: For readers just tuning in, or for readers in the United States who missed it, I want to repost a video reaction to KONY2012 by the Ugandan journalist Rosebell Kagumire (here's her blog).

The Guardian

What the figures mean is that while Vaughan has 14,000 more listeners, people are tuning in for longer to Theakston's show, making it the most listened-to, which is valuable to advertisers.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

In one corner, Abbas was overseeing the hanging of his atmospheric black-and-white prints of human shadows, while in another the young South African artist Mikhael Subotzky was fine-tuning the colour definition on his video and sound projection.

The Guardian - Arts

But add some connectivity and the car could tune itself in response to road conditions or the price of fuel or whatever some crazy race-tuning specialist mechanic has shared on the unofficial networks.

The Economist

After fine-tuning its technology and procedures in Uganda, MTN plans to introduce the service in 20 other African and Middle Eastern countries; it has already launched in Ghana.

The Economist

Other wavelengths are destroyed, or at best emerge weakly.Iridigm's technology, which it calls an interferometric modulator, or I-mod, works by fine-tuning the gap between reflective surfaces.

The Economist

But according to Tom Brereton of Butterfly Conservation, recent "fine-tuning" of conservation management in the high brown fritillary's last remaining strongholds – Morecambe Bay in Lancashire and Exmoor and Dartmoor in the south-west – has revived its fortunes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about music, use "tuning" to refer to the act of calibrating instruments to a standard pitch. This is the term musicians use and understand.

Common error

Be aware that "tuning" (the act of adjusting) is different from "tuner" (the device used for tuning). Using the terms interchangeably can confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tuning" is as a noun, referring to the act of adjusting something to achieve optimal performance or a desired state. It can also function as a verb in its present participle form, describing the ongoing action of adjusting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "tuning" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, serving as both a noun and a verb. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely accepted across various professional and academic contexts. Analysis of example sentences reveals a prevalent usage in "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and scientific domains. When using "tuning", remember it's about precision and achieving optimal performance, and avoid confusing it with the instrument used for tuning. Related terms like "adjustment" or "calibration" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fine-tuning

Emphasizes making small, precise adjustments to achieve optimal performance.

adjustment

Focuses on the act of making something suitable or conforming to a standard.

optimization

Focuses on making something as effective or functional as possible.

calibration

Specifically refers to the process of standardizing measurements or settings.

configuring

Focuses on arranging or structuring something to meet specific requirements.

modification

Highlights the act of changing something, often to improve it.

alignment

Highlights the process of bringing things into a state of agreement or cooperation.

regulation

Involves controlling or directing something according to rules or principles.

setting

Refers to the act of configuring or arranging something for a particular purpose.

alteration

Indicates a change or modification, often implying a more significant change than adjustment.

FAQs

How is "tuning" used in a sentence?

The word "tuning" can be used as a noun, referring to the act of adjusting something, or as a verb (present participle), describing the action of adjusting. For example: "The guitar needed careful tuning" (noun) or "They are tuning the engine" (verb).

What are some alternatives to the word "tuning"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "adjustment", "calibration", or "optimization".

What does "fine-tuning" mean?

"Fine-tuning" implies making small, precise adjustments to something to optimize its performance. It suggests a detailed and careful process of "adjustment".

In what contexts is "tuning" commonly used?

"Tuning" is commonly used in contexts related to music (adjusting instruments), mechanics (adjusting engines), and electronics (adjusting circuits). It generally refers to achieving an optimal state through "adjustment".