unfreezing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfreezing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to thawing something that was frozen or in metaphorical contexts, such as changing a state or condition. Example: "Before we can proceed with the experiment, we need to start unfreezing the samples."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr Obama continued to do badly with the same white working-class voters that he had failed to connect with during the primary.All changeNevertheless, Mr Obama succeeded in unfreezing an electoral map that had been frozen for the past eight years.

The Economist

John Cridland, director general of business body CBI, said: "Unfreezing the housing market will be a major game-changer in the drive for economic growth, which is why we called on the Government to support home buyers by making it possible for them to take out low-deposit mortgages.

Independent

He added that Britain would now deal with the NTC "on the same basis as other governments around the world" and would begin work on unfreezing further assets, including currency stocks of the Libyan central bank, held in the UK.

Independent

They settled on unfreezing a portion of the long-frozen assets that Iran has hungered to tap — roughly $3.6 billion in oil revenue parked in foreign banks.

The New York Times

American laws, like those in Europe, prohibit simply unfreezing such assets.

The New York Times

Unfreezing an account often requires a lawyer and invariably involves delays, which can be devastating for low-income beneficiaries.

The New York Times

Some economists thought that solution might border on the simplistic, though they said unfreezing the credit market for established businesses was essential for the health of the recovery.

The New York Times

US officials are contemplating unfreezing some of the tens of billions dollars of Iranian assets in blocked accounts around the world, to give them bargaining chips to take the table with Iran, now that substantive negotiations have finally begun, the New York Times reports today.

The Guardian

There's no cracking of frozen lakes, no creak and groan of unfreezing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Johnstone wrote, in language very reminiscent of Hughes, about "unfreezing the petrified imagination" by "accepting first thoughts".

The Guardian - Books

"To achieve positive change you have to go through different phases, one of which is unfreezing.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unfreezing" in a metaphorical sense, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being released or activated. For example, specify "unfreezing the credit market" rather than just "unfreezing".

Common error

Avoid using "unfreezing" when simpler terms like "thawing" or "defrosting" are more appropriate for literal descriptions of ice or frozen items. Overusing "unfreezing" in simple, literal contexts might sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unfreezing" is that of a present participle or gerund, often functioning as part of a continuous verb tense or as a noun. Ludwig AI examples show it describing actions in progress, like "unfreezing the housing market" or "unfreezing further assets".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unfreezing" functions as a present participle or gerund, denoting the reversal of a frozen state either literally or metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically sound and frequently used, especially in news and business contexts to describe actions like releasing assets or stimulating economic activity. While generally neutral in tone, it leans toward professional in financial discussions. Remember to use it precisely, especially in metaphorical senses, to ensure clarity. Avoid overuse in simple, literal contexts where alternatives like "thawing" are more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thawing out

This alternative refers specifically to the process of ice or something frozen becoming liquid or less cold.

releasing

This implies liberating something that was constrained, similar to unblocking assets.

unlocking

This suggests making something accessible or operational that was previously locked or inaccessible.

activating

This denotes initiating or setting something in motion, moving it from a dormant to an active state.

deactivating restrictions

It refers specifically to ending or suspending limitations, often financial or regulatory.

setting free

Suggests a liberation or release from constraints, often in a metaphorical sense.

reactivating

Implies restoring something to a functional state after a period of inactivity.

bringing back to life

This phrase is often used metaphorically to describe revitalizing something that was stagnant or failing.

reviving

Implies restoring something to a healthier or more active state.

loosening restrictions

Suggests reducing the severity of constraints or limitations.

FAQs

How is "unfreezing" used in financial contexts?

In finance, "unfreezing" commonly refers to "releasing assets" or funds that were previously frozen due to legal or regulatory reasons. For example, "unfreezing" assets held in a foreign bank.

What are some alternatives to "unfreezing" in the context of change management?

In change management, alternatives to "unfreezing" might include "disrupting the status quo", "challenging existing norms", or "preparing for change", depending on the specific situation.

Is it appropriate to use "unfreezing" in scientific writing?

Yes, "unfreezing" can be appropriate in scientific writing, particularly when describing processes related to thawing samples or "reversing cryopreservation". However, ensure the term aligns with the specific scientific field's terminology.

What's the difference between "unfreezing" and "thawing"?

"Unfreezing" and "thawing" are often interchangeable, but "unfreezing" can be used more broadly in metaphorical contexts to describe "releasing something held back" or enabling change. "Thawing" typically refers specifically to the physical process of ice melting.