What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
counteract
Example
The medication is designed to counteract the negative side effects of chemotherapy. [counteract: verb]
Example
The government is taking steps to counteract the effects of climate change. [counteract: verb]
offset
Example
The company is using renewable energy sources to offset its carbon emissions. [offset: verb]
Example
The benefits of the new policy will offset the costs in the long run. [offset: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Offset is more commonly used than counteract in everyday language. Offset is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while counteract is less common and tends to be used in more specific contexts, such as medicine or environmental issues.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between counteract and offset?
Both counteract and offset can be used in formal and informal contexts, but counteract may be perceived as more technical or specialized due to its association with medicine and science.
