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offset meaning and examples

2025-08-25

Meaning

Offset has both verb and noun forms:

  • Verb: To counterbalance, compensate for, or reduce the effect of something.
  • Noun: A counteracting force, something that balances another, or a shift/displacement from a starting position.

Grammar and Usage

  • Verb (transitive): offset sth → to reduce or balance the effect of something. Example: The gains offset the losses.

  • Noun:

    1. A counterbalance or compensation. Example: The tax cut is an offset against inflation.
    2. A displacement or shift. Example: The building’s offset from the road is 5 meters.

  • Common structures:

    • offset A with/by B
    • provide an offset to sth

Common Phrases

  • carbon offset → a way to compensate for emissions.
  • offset printing → a printing method.
  • cost offset → financial compensation to balance costs.

Collocations

  • verb + offset: help offset, partially offset, completely offset
  • offset + noun: offset effect, offset cost, offset impact
  • noun + offset: tax offset, carbon offset, offset amount

Examples

  1. The company planted trees to offset its carbon emissions.
  2. Her high income offsets her partner’s lower salary.
  3. The offset in the measurements caused an error in the calculations.
  4. Government subsidies can offset the rising cost of food.
  5. He received a tax offset for his charitable donations.
  6. The new equipment will help offset the extra workload.
  7. The offset of the building from the street creates a small plaza.
  8. The benefit offsets the risk involved.
  • Verb: counterbalance, compensate, neutralize, cancel out
  • Noun: compensation, counterbalance, adjustment, allowance