Meaning & use
contextualising
Last updated
“contextualising” is a form of “contextualise”.
Meaning
verbtransitiveBritish
Placing information in its surrounding situation so it can be understood properly.
Grammar: Takes an object: contextualising the data. The -ing form works as a verb or a noun-like subject.
Patterns
- contextualise something
- contextualise something in something
Contextualising the figures helps readers see why they changed.
She is contextualising the poem within its historical period.
The report does this by contextualising each quote.
Word forms
| base form | contextualise |
|---|---|
| third person singular | contextualises |
| past tense | contextualised |
| past participle | contextualised |
| -ing form | contextualising |
Common combinations
- contextualising information
- Contextualising information makes it easier to remember.
- contextualising the data
- The team spent a week contextualising the data.
- contextualising a text
- Teachers are good at contextualising a text for students.
- contextualising within a framework
- He is contextualising the study within an economic framework.
Synonyms and how they differ
- situating
- Close in meaning, but 'situating' often refers to physical or social position rather than explanation.
- framing
- 'Framing' focuses on the viewpoint you choose; 'contextualising' focuses on the background facts.
Opposites
Word family
- context noun
- the situation or background around something
- contextual adjective
- relating to the surrounding situation
- contextualisation noun
- the act of putting something in context
Commonly confused: contextualising or contextualizing?
contextualising vs contextualizing
This is the American spelling with 'z'; 'contextualising' with 's' is the British spelling.
Practice
The lecturer kept ___ the results against earlier studies.
Choose one answer.
After 'kept' you need the -ing form, so 'contextualising' fits; 'contextualise' is the base form and 'contextualisation' is a noun, neither of which can follow 'kept' here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “contextualising”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.