weighing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "weighing" is correct and is often used in written English.
It can be used to describe the consideration of something before making a decision or forming an opinion. For example: "Weighing all the pros and cons, I decided to move out of state for college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Weighing almost six tonnes and measuring 4 metres (13ft) square, the giant slab of milk chocolate has broken the record for the world's largest chocolate bar.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Could it be that we're weighing up what's been lost?

The Guardian - Film

Kate, who was born weighing 7lbs 14oz, was too small, they were told.

The Guardian

Across the two areas are about a million pairs of Adélie penguins, more than a dozen species of whale, more than a third of the world's population of emperor penguins, abundant krill and fish species and the Ross Sea region's top predator – the toothfish, which can grow to two metres weighing 200 kilos (they've evolved special anti-freeze like proteins to survive in the frigid waters).

The Guardian

Hodgson, asked about his captain's display and whether he may consider playing Welbeck alongside Sturridge instead in Basel, said: "The fact is it was a big night for Wayne, with a lot of responsibility weighing on his shoulders, not least with the penalty, which he knew he had to score to secure the win.

The Guardian - Sport

He could make wry jokes and become expansive after hours in the bar, but he wrote with dedicated seriousness, weighing and polishing every phrase.

The Guardian

Yes, I can without weighing up the lost drinking opportunity.

The Guardian

He points out that the Washington Post once described it as "Rockwell meets de Tocqueville" – a more pithy line than one usually reads in the Post these days – and goes on to enumerate Danville's charms: On my travels I saw one of those poles in the historic district detailing an important event, namely the first removal of an ovarian tumour in the world, weighing 22lbs.

The Guardian

When the officer grabbed his weighing scales, his most expensive piece of equipment, without which he could not conduct any business, the young man broke down.

The Guardian

She set the female speed record for round-the-world, and established the speed record in a Type C1-c aircraft (that is, one weighing less than 1,626kg).

The Guardian

Best practice as an academic is to keep things ambiguous, up for debate, weighing all possibilities, consulting sources widely.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "weighing" in the context of considering options, ensure the sentence clearly indicates what is being compared. For example, instead of "Weighing the options", specify "Weighing the pros and cons of each option".

Common error

Avoid using "weighing" in contexts where a more precise verb would be appropriate. For example, instead of "We are weighing a solution", consider a more specific verb like "evaluating", "assessing", or "analyzing", depending on the specific action being taken.

Linguistic Context

The word "weighing" primarily functions as a verb in its present participle form, often used within continuous verb tenses. It also serves as a gerund or verbal noun, as seen in contexts like "frequent "weighing" was associated with greater 'cognitive restraint'", according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Opinion

5%

Travel

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "weighing" is a versatile term primarily used as a verb form, indicating either the physical act of measuring weight or the abstract process of considering and evaluating options. According to Ludwig, the term is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using "weighing", it's important to be specific about what is being compared and to avoid overuse in abstract contexts where a more precise verb would be suitable. While "weighing" can be used in different contexts, it is important to understand its usage and the contexts to ensure clarity and accuracy in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considering

Emphasizes the thought process involved in taking something into account before making a decision.

assessing

Focuses more on the evaluation aspect rather than the physical measurement, implying a careful judgment.

evaluating

Similar to assessing, but often involves a more structured approach to determine the value or significance of something.

analyzing

Highlights a detailed examination of something to understand its nature or features.

pondering

Suggests a deep and careful thought process, often about something complex or important.

deliberating

Focuses on the careful consideration and discussion of different options before making a decision.

determining

Focuses on the act of finding out or establishing something definitively.

measuring

Highlights the act of determining the size, amount, or degree of something, often with precision.

gauging

Implies an estimation or judgment of something, often based on intuition or experience.

calculating

Implies a more mathematical or precise determination of something, often involving numbers or data.

FAQs

How can I use "weighing" in a sentence?

"Weighing" can be used to describe the act of physically measuring something, like "weighing the ingredients for a recipe", or metaphorically, to describe considering options, such as "weighing the pros and cons before making a decision".

What are some alternatives to using "weighing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "evaluating", "assessing", or "considering". The best choice depends on whether you are referring to a physical measurement or a more abstract evaluation.

Is there a difference between "weighing" and "considering"?

While both involve thinking about something, "weighing" often implies a more deliberate and comparative assessment, while "considering" is a more general term for taking something into account. You might say you are "weighing your options" before a decision, but simply "considering" a suggestion.

When is it appropriate to use "weighing" instead of "weighting"?

"Weighing" is used to describe the act of measuring weight or considering options, while "weighting" is used to assign importance or influence to different factors. For instance, you might be "weighing the evidence" but "weighting the importance of each piece of evidence".