twisting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "twisting" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used as a verb or an adjective. As a verb, "twisting" means to turn or rotate something in a spiral motion. Example: The dancer's body was twisting and contorting with each graceful movement. As an adjective, "twisting" describes something that is curved or spiraled. Example: The twisting road through the mountains made for a scenic drive. Here is an example sentence using both verb and adjective forms of "twisting": The vines were twisting around the branches of the tree, creating a beautiful, twisting canopy above.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

A male hen harrier's silhouette gliding low over the moorland is an eerie sight greatly prized by bird lovers, but the bird is best known for its aerobatic displays of climbing, twisting and rolling, known as sky dancing.

The Guardian

These fragments of rock that have tumbled from the sky often seem like the only solid element in the earthly narratives they leave like twisting trails of light in their wake.

The Guardian - Arts

The turning and twisting narrative of this four-and-a-half-hour film stretches through three generations and as many countries, all controlled by Ruiz's flowing digital camerawork.

The Guardian - Film

More than 4,000 people were inside or waiting to get in by about 10am on Saturday, Reliant Park officials said, the line twisting through the centre and out the door.

The Guardian

Twisting sharply upwards from the waterfront, these neighbouring barrios are home to galleries, restaurants, bars and hotels, all tucked away on quiet, cobbled streets lined with clapboard houses in kaleidoscopic colours.

The Guardian - Travel

The soldiers grabbed me, pulling my beard, pressing on my throat, twisting my hands behind my back, and as a result my picture was taken by force," Turahan wrote.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

By three means: arm-twisting, obfuscation and opt-outs.Arm-twisting worked on the main issue that caused the failure in December: the weighting of votes.

The Economist

He will be less appreciative in private.Alleged arm-twisting by the government pushed BofA to consummate its acquisition of Merrill Lynch, despite misgivings over Merrill's mounting losses.

The Economist

Yet when Republican grandees call Mr Cruz "wacko" and big-city papers call him a fact-twisting demagogue, his fans love him all the more.If Mr Cruz does seek the presidency in 2016, cool logic is against him.

The Economist

As ever, the devil lies in the detail.Meanwhile, a recent power struggle within Tbilisi city council has renewed allegations of government arm-twisting.

The Economist

Unless this logging is brought under control, the forests, which have existed for 15,000 years, and the animals that live in them (see article), will be gone by the year 2020.The WWF, having decided against a big publicity campaign, is going in for discreet arm-twisting.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical movement, consider using "twisting" to convey a rotational action that also implies a change in shape or direction. For example: "The dancer was twisting her body into intricate poses."

Common error

Avoid using "twisting" to describe something that is simply curved or winding but not actively rotating or changing shape. Use alternatives like "curved" or "winding" instead.

Linguistic Context

Twisting primarily functions as a verb, often in its present participle form, describing an ongoing action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it portrays a rotational movement or a manipulation, as seen in the examples of "twisting sharply upwards" or "twisting the parliamentary rules".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "twisting" is a versatile term functioning primarily as a verb, indicating rotational movement or figurative manipulation. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and frequently used in News & Media. While its register remains neutral, context dictates its level of formality. When using "twisting", remember to reserve it for scenarios involving active rotation or distortion, steering clear of merely curved entities. Related terms include "winding", "contorting", and "deforming", each carrying nuances in meaning. Steer clear of misusing "twisting" to characterize static entities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

winding

Refers to something that follows a curving or spiral course, similar to "twisting" but emphasizes the path rather than the action.

contorting

Implies a more extreme form of "twisting", suggesting a forced or unnatural change in shape.

distorting

Focuses on changing the original shape or form, like "twisting", but can also apply to abstract concepts.

deforming

Suggests a more permanent and damaging alteration of shape compared to "twisting".

manipulating

Implies skillful handling or control, sometimes with a negative connotation of deceit, similar to "twisting" facts.

skewing

Suggests a deviation from a straight line or a balanced perspective, similar to "twisting" an argument.

wrenching

Implies a sudden, forceful twisting motion, often causing pain or damage, more forceful than "twisting".

writhing

Suggests a contorted, twisting movement, often associated with pain or struggle. Compared to "twisting" it focuses more on the movement itself.

spiraling

Emphasizes a circular or helical movement around a central point, different to a generic "twisting".

distorting the truth

Refers specifically to misrepresenting or manipulating information, like "twisting" facts or words.

FAQs

How can I use "twisting" in a sentence?

"Twisting" can describe a physical action, like "The gymnast was "twisting" in the air", or a figurative manipulation, such as "They were "twisting" the facts to suit their agenda".

What are some synonyms for "twisting" when describing a road?

When describing a road, you might use synonyms like "winding", "curving", or "serpentine" instead of "twisting".

What's the difference between "twisting" and "contorting"?

"Twisting" generally implies a rotational movement, while "contorting" suggests a more extreme and unnatural deformation of shape.

When is it appropriate to use "twisting" in a negative context?

You can use "twisting" in a negative context when describing someone "manipulating facts" or arguments to deceive or mislead. For example, "The politician was accused of "twisting" the truth to win votes."