Grammar help please?

Question

Hi,Could you please advice if these synonyms are all possible in these sentences?My increased wage is neutralized / counteracted / balanced off by rising living cost.Acid is neutralized / counteracted / balanced off by alkaline. (Passive voice)Alkaline will neutralize / counteract / balance off acid. (Active)Cheers

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

John AkiMy increased wage is [ neutralized / ?counteracted / balanced off ] ~~by rising living cost.~~ by the rising cost of living.

I wouldn't use 'counteracted', but the others are OK as shown.

('off' only goes with 'balanced', not with the others.)

John AkiAcid is [neutralized / ?counteracted / ?balanced off] by alkaline.

'neutralized' is the proper scientific term. For that reason I would not use the others. The passive voice is a little unusual.

John AkiAlkaline will [neutralize / counteract / ?balance off] acid.

The active voice here is better. I would use either of the first two. I would not use 'balance off'.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

John Aki
Hi,
Could you please advice if these synonyms are all possible in these sentences?

My increased wage is neutralized / counteracted / balanced off by rising living cost.
Acid is neutralized / counteracted / balanced off by alkaline. (Passive voice)
Alkaline will neutralize / counteract / balance off acid. (Active)

Cheers

You have left "off" in black, which indicates that you want it included in every sentence. It does not belong in any of them. If we remove it, we get:

"My increased wage is neutralized / counteracted / balanced by rising living cost."

"Neutralized" is not so good. "Counteracted" is possible but also not great. "Balanced" is OK, but it does not say what it seems you want it to. I might say "cancelled out". By the way, "rising living cost" would be more natural as "rising cost of living" if you mean the economic indicator, or "rising living expenses" if you mean your own outlay.

"Acid is neutralized / counteracted / balanced by alkali."

"Alkaline" is an adjective. "Neutralized" is the word for the chemical reaction, and it is good in general. "Counteracted" is possible if that's what you mean. It is hard to tell what "balanced" might mean.

"Alkali will neutralize / counteract / balance acid."

Same as the last one.

Grammar help please?

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