withdrawing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "withdrawing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is pulling back or removing themselves from a situation, such as withdrawing from a conversation, a commitment, or a financial account. Example: "After much consideration, she decided that withdrawing from the project was the best course of action for her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Writing before the announcement that Australia was withdrawing its ambassador, he predicted the executions would affect Australians' perceptions of Widodo for the rest of his tenure, but warned against such a step.

The Guardian

But does this give the commenter a right to have a comment deleted by withdrawing their consent?

The Guardian - Opinion

An "emotionally and physically drained" Mo Farah took a 6am flight back to the United States after withdrawing from the Birmingham Grand Prixon Sunday but his exit angered British fans and left the double Olympic champion out of pocket.

The Guardian - Sport

I have to say that I never thought a British government, let alone a Conservative one, would ever have thought of withdrawing from the convention for which, of course, we were responsible".

The Guardian

Geert Wilders, of the far-right Freedom Party, which had backed the government for 18 months before withdrawing its support over the weekend, said: "We don't want to cut spending by €14bn and at the same time transfer billions of euros to Brussels for the horrible ESM [European Stability Mechanism] emergency fund and the weak Greeks".

The Guardian - Business

"We understand the public's concern and are withdrawing the trademark applications," spokeswoman Carrie Munk said.

The Guardian

Under that pressure, and probably facing total collapse, the AIB board met on Monday afternoon in its Dublin HQ and later announced that it was withdrawing the payouts.

The Guardian

He called on Moscow to uphold an earlier cease-fire agreement, which calls for withdrawing its support for the separatists and persuading them to release hostages.

The Guardian

Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, says they are right to be worried but that the answer is to insist on being in on talks, not withdrawing from them.

The Guardian

So many common problems – climate, environment, energy, foreign and security policy – are best dealt with at a European level that the idea of withdrawing from the union simply does not make sense.

The Guardian - Business

Subsequently, Tory morale was lifted when Paul Sykes, the chief funder of Ukip, said he was withdrawing in protest at its putting up a candidate against the Tories in every seat in next year's general election.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "withdrawing" in financial contexts, clarify what is being withdrawn (e.g., "withdrawing funds" or "withdrawing assets") to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "withdrawing" when simply describing someone leaving a place. Use more appropriate verbs like "leaving", "exiting", or "departing" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "withdrawing" is as a present participle, often used in continuous verb tenses or as a gerund. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing examples where "withdrawing" functions as part of a verb phrase or as a noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

23%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "withdrawing" functions primarily as a present participle, describing the action of removal or retraction across a range of contexts. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and business settings. When using "withdrawing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being removed or retracted to avoid ambiguity. Be mindful of using more precise terms like "retreating" or "rescinding" for nuanced meanings. Avoid using "withdrawing" when only describing that someone is simply leaving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pulling back

Emphasizes the action of physically or strategically retreating.

retracting

Focuses on taking back a statement, promise, or offer.

receding

Highlights the gradual movement away from a certain point or position.

retreating

Implies a strategic or defensive withdrawal from a conflict or challenging situation.

backing out

Suggests a last-minute decision to abandon a commitment or agreement.

disengaging

Emphasizes the act of disconnecting or separating from an involvement.

bowing out

Indicates a formal or graceful exit from a role or responsibility.

quitting

Directly means leaving a job, team or organization.

taking out

Focuses on the act of removing something, often in a financial context.

rescinding

Highlights the act of officially cancelling a law, order, or agreement.

FAQs

How is "withdrawing" commonly used in a sentence?

Commonly, "withdrawing" is used to describe the action of removing oneself or something from a situation, agreement, or location. For example, "The company is "withdrawing its support" for the project."

What are some alternatives to "withdrawing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "pulling back", "retracting", or "receding". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "withdrawing" and "retreating"?

"Withdrawing" generally implies a planned or deliberate removal, while "retreating" often suggests a response to pressure or danger. For example, soldiers might be "retreating" from an enemy advance, but a country might be "withdrawing" from a trade agreement.

When is it appropriate to use "withdrawing" versus "removing"?

"Removing" is a more general term for taking something away. "Withdrawing" implies a more formal or strategic removal, often from a commitment or involvement. For instance, you might "remove" a stain, but you would "withdraw" an application.