What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
balancing
Example
She carefully balanced the books on her head. [balance: verb]
Example
The gymnast demonstrated incredible balancing skills on the beam. [balancing: gerund or present participle]
counterbalancing
Example
The government implemented measures to counterbalance the negative effects of the economic downturn. [counterbalance: verb]
Example
The company used counterbalancing techniques to minimize the risks associated with their investment. [counterbalancing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Balancing is more commonly used than counterbalancing in everyday language. Balancing is a versatile term that can be used in various situations, while counterbalancing is more specific and often used in technical or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between balancing and counterbalancing?
Both balancing and counterbalancing can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, counterbalancing may be more commonly used in technical or professional settings due to its specific nature.