Meaning & use
projecting
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“projecting” is a form of “project”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitive
Sticking out past an edge or surface; the -ing form of project in this sense.
Grammar: No object; often followed by from or over: a shelf projecting from the wall.
Patterns
- projecting from something
- projecting over something
A rock was projecting from the cliff face.
The balcony is projecting over the street.
A nail projecting from the board scratched his arm.
verbtransitivebusiness
Estimating a future amount or result based on present facts.
Grammar: Takes an object: projecting sales; used in business and science.
Patterns
- projecting something to do something
- projecting that something
Analysts are projecting a rise in prices next year.
The city is projecting that its population will double.
We are projecting costs of two million dollars.
verbtransitive
Showing an image on a screen, or sending out a voice, light, or impression so others receive it.
Grammar: Takes an object: projecting a film; projecting confidence.
Patterns
- projecting something onto something
- projecting confidence
The teacher is projecting the map onto the wall.
She is projecting her voice to the back of the hall.
He is projecting confidence in his interview.
verbtransitive
Unconsciously attributing your own feelings or faults to someone else.
Grammar: Used in psychology and everyday talk: projecting your anger onto others.
Patterns
- projecting something onto someone
He keeps projecting his own fears onto his sister.
You are projecting; I am not angry at all.
The therapist said she was projecting her worries onto the children.
Word forms
| base form | project |
|---|---|
| third person singular | projects |
| past tense | projected |
| past participle | projected |
Common combinations
- projecting confidence
- The speaker was projecting confidence.
- projecting growth
- The firm is projecting growth of five percent.
- projecting an image
- The brand is projecting an image of quality.
- projecting onto a screen
- They are projecting the slides onto a screen.
- projecting your voice
- Actors practice projecting their voices.
Synonyms and how they differ
- protruding
- Protruding stresses sticking out, often in an awkward way, and is used only for the physical sense.
- forecasting
- Forecasting predicts the future in general, such as weather, while projecting uses data trends.
- displaying
- Displaying simply shows something, while projecting sends it onto a surface.
- conveying
- Conveying communicates ideas or feelings, with less sense of outward force than projecting.
Opposites
Word family
- projection noun
- an estimate or a thing that sticks out
- projector noun
- a machine that shows images on a screen
- project noun
- a planned piece of work
- projectile noun
- an object that is shot or thrown
Commonly confused: projecting or protecting?
projecting vs protecting
Protecting means keeping safe, which sounds a little like projecting but has a different meaning.
Practice
Experts are ___ that sales will grow by ten percent next year.
Choose one answer.
Projecting that means forecasting based on data. Protecting and protesting have different meanings, and 'projecting out' is not the right pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “projecting”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.