Meaning & use
organizing
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“organizing” is a form of “organize”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
The present participle of 'organize': arranging people or things into a clear, working order, or making plans for an event.
Grammar: Used as a verb form; it needs an object: 'She is organizing the files.'
Patterns
- organizing something
- organizing an event
- organizing people
She is organizing her desk before the meeting.
They are organizing a charity run for next month.
He spends every Sunday organizing his photos.
noununcountable
The activity of planning and arranging something, especially an event or a group effort.
Grammar: Used as a noun; it does not take 'a' or a plural: 'Organizing takes time.'
Patterns
- the organizing of something
- event organizing
Organizing the conference took weeks of effort.
Good organizing made the move smooth.
adjectivebefore a noun
Relating to the process of arranging or planning something.
Grammar: Comes before a noun: 'an organizing committee'.
Patterns
- organizing committee
- organizing principle
The organizing committee met on Friday.
She has strong organizing skills.
Word forms
| third person singular | organizes |
|---|---|
| past tense | organized |
| past participle | organized |
| present participle | organizing |
Common combinations
- organizing committee
- The organizing committee chose the date.
- organizing skills
- Her organizing skills are excellent.
- event organizing
- He works in event organizing.
- busy organizing
- She is busy organizing the party.
Synonyms and how they differ
- arranging
- Focuses on putting things in a particular order; 'organizing' often suggests a larger system or plan.
- planning
- Emphasizes deciding details in advance; 'organizing' is more about putting the plan into action.
- coordinating
- Highlights making different parts work together; 'organizing' can be done by one person.
Opposites
Word family
- organize verb
- To arrange or plan something.
- organization noun
- A group or the act of arranging.
- organized adjective
- Arranged well; orderly.
- organizer noun
- A person who arranges events or things.
Commonly confused: organizing or organisation?
organizing vs organisation
British spelling; American English uses 'organization'.
Practice
She is ___ a surprise party for her friend.
Choose one answer.
After 'is' and before a noun phrase, we need the present participle 'organizing' for an action happening now. 'Organized' would be past, 'organize' would need 'to' or a different subject, and 'organizes' is third-person singular present, which does not fit with 'is'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “organizing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.