tutoring

USAGE SUMMARY

'tutoring' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of a person providing extra help and instruction in a particular subject or skill. For example, "My sister offers tutoring services for math students struggling in school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Volunteers are supporting a homework club and running GCSE tutoring for local teenagers as well as other activities, and giving general help in the library.

The Guardian - Books

The oldest one has been summoned from university to provide the other two with some emergency tutoring ahead of their exams.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

James Mottram: Did you enjoy tutoring all the little ballet school girls?

The Guardian - Film

But that angers thousands of conservative families who praise the quality of the Gulenists' tutoring and their family values.

The Economist

A recent survey by the Sutton Trust, an education charity, found that 22% of parents with 11-16-year-olds 11-16-year-olds 11-16-year-olds 11-16-year-oldspoint.

The Economist

Poor performing schools increased grade retention, offered tutoring to struggling students, reorganized classes (as opposed to smaller class sizes), and narrowed the curriculum to material on the tests ("teaching to the test").

The Economist

But thanks to high-level learning, tutoring (if needed), an emphasis on accountability and good behavior, and a ten-hour school day, its students look not only toward graduation, but toward college.

The Economist

Poor children are trapped in dismal schools, while richer parents spend ever more cash on tutoring their offspring.What, if anything, needs to be done?

The Economist

Even in some that do not, like Singapore and South Korea, the best teachers top up their salaries by tutoring exam candidates after school hours.Many well-aired objections to variable pay have been muted by changes to English education.

The Economist

But even the most grizzled veterans of rich-world journalism still seem glad to earn extra money tutoring tyros in poor countries.

The Economist

The senior lama traditionally most involved in identifying and tutoring a young Dalai Lama is the Panchen Lama.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when choosing synonyms for "tutoring"; "academic coaching" might be more suitable for a college setting, while "homework assistance" is better for younger students.

Common error

Avoid using "tutoring" as a blanket term for all forms of educational support. "Tutoring" specifically implies one-on-one or small-group instruction focused on a particular subject or skill, not general help or mentorship.

Linguistic Context

The term "tutoring" primarily functions as a verb (present participle) describing the action of providing educational assistance. As Ludwig AI highlights, it can also act as a noun referring to tuition. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts related to education and skill development.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academic sources

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tutoring" is a versatile term primarily used as a verb to describe providing individualized educational support, though it can also function as a noun referring to tuition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. The word sees frequent use across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. Related phrases include "private lessons" and "academic coaching". When using "tutoring", ensure it reflects the personalized nature of the instruction and avoid using it as a blanket term for all educational assistance. The Ludwig examples confirm its widespread use and adaptability in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one-on-one teaching

Highlights the personalized aspect of tutoring, where instruction is tailored to the individual student.

private lessons

Focuses on the individual instruction aspect but is more general than "tutoring".

supplemental instruction

Highlights the fact that tutoring complements regular classroom teaching.

academic coaching

Emphasizes guidance and support in academic subjects, similar to tutoring but broader.

instructional sessions

Describes planned teaching activities or periods of study.

remedial instruction

Specifically addresses learning deficits and aims to correct them through focused teaching.

educational support

A more general term encompassing various forms of assistance in learning.

mentoring in studies

Involves a more comprehensive relationship where guidance extends beyond specific subjects.

homework assistance

Concentrates on helping students with their assignments outside of the classroom.

academic enrichment

Enhances a student's understanding beyond the core curriculum.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "tutoring" in a sentence?

Use "tutoring" to describe the act of providing individual or small-group instruction. For example, "She is receiving "math tutoring" to improve her grades" or "The volunteer program offers free "reading tutoring" to elementary school students".

What are some alternatives to the word "tutoring"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "coaching", "mentoring", "instruction", or "private lessons". Choose the term that best reflects the specific nature of the educational assistance being provided.

Is it correct to say "tutoring for" or "tutoring in" a subject?

Both "tutoring for" and "tutoring in" are acceptable. "Tutoring for" often implies preparing for something, like a test. "Tutoring in" generally refers to providing instruction within a specific subject area, such as "tutoring in mathematics".

What is the difference between "tutoring" and "teaching"?

"Teaching" typically refers to instruction in a classroom setting with a larger group of students, while "tutoring" generally involves more individualized instruction tailored to the specific needs of one or a few students. "Tutoring" is supplemental and personalized, contrasting teaching's broader, curriculum-based approach.