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Verb and adjective patterns

Winding up vs. winding of

Winding up is a common phrasal verb and noun phrase meaning ending or closing something. Winding of is usually not a natural modern English combination except in technical uses.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

Use winding up for ending, closing, or gradually finishing something. Winding of is uncommon in everyday English and mainly appears in technical contexts such as machinery or coils.

winding up the meeting
the winding up of the company
winding up for the season
the winding of the wire

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
winding up + noun

Ending or closing something

Winding up commonly refers to bringing an activity or organisation to an end.

winding up the project
winding up operations
2
the winding up of + noun

Formal expression for closure

This formal structure is common in business and legal English.

the winding up of the business
the winding up of the partnership
3
winding of + object

Technical or physical winding

Winding of is mainly used for physical winding processes.

the winding of the clock
the winding of copper wire

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
winding up
They are winding up the company.
Closing or ending something.
winding up of
The winding up of the firm took months.
Formal noun phrase for closure or liquidation.
winding of
The winding of the motor coil must be precise.
Technical process of wrapping or turning material.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using winding of for company closure

Business closure normally uses winding up.

✕ The winding of the company began last year. ✓ The winding up of the company began last year.

Confusing the phrasal verb

Up is part of the fixed phrasal verb wind up.

✕ They are winding the meeting. ✓ They are winding up the meeting.

Using winding up for physical coils

Technical winding processes often use winding of.

✕ The winding up of the wire was automatic. ✓ The winding of the wire was automatic.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. They are ___ the discussion now.
2. The ___ the company was announced yesterday.
3. The machine controls the ___ the cable.

Check your sentence in context

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Frequently asked questions

Is winding up a phrasal verb?

Yes. Wind up commonly means finish, close, or bring something to an end.

Can winding of be correct?

Yes, mainly in technical contexts involving coils, wires, clocks, or similar objects.

What does the winding up of a company mean?

It is a formal business term for closing or liquidating a company.

warm-in-up-for-to, with wary of, about or in? weak in, on, at, for or from? wealthy in, of, by, from or with? weary of, from, in, with or about? wedded to, by, for, in or into? weekly for, in, on, with or to? weird for, to, about, in or with? "welcome to" or "welcome in"? "welcoming of" or "welcoming to"? "well-known for" or "well-known in"? well-received by, in, at, among or with?

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