I'm defining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I'm defining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are explaining or clarifying the meaning of a term or concept. Example: "In this section, I'm defining the key terms that will be used throughout the paper."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"I'm defining the success of this play by how scared I was doing it," he said.

The New Yorker

"I'm defining my job quite narrowly: Can I make you think about an issue and care about an issue?

The New Yorker

"We are in a five-game season right now, and that's the way I'm defining it," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

There is also this for Manning supporters: I'm defining a clutch situation as a play in the 4th quarter or overtime of any regular season or playoff game since 2007, when the game was tied or the quarterback's team was trailing by no more than 8 points.

The New York Times

Should pollutants, and I'm defining that broadly, should the government force enterprises to consider the cost of those pollutants when creating goods and services?

TechCrunch

The biggest assumption I'm making in this exercise is simply that I'm defining "new customers" simply by taking the current period's cumulative buyers (or sellers) and subtracting the prior period's.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

where k i is defined in (3.4).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

(i) is defined on the Banach space.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

where ϕ i is defined in (13).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

where T i is defined in (3.22) and T ˆ i is defined similarly for (1.2).

Advances in Difference Equations

where A i, B i are defined in (19).

Boundary Value Problems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I'm defining" to clearly communicate your intended meaning, especially when introducing potentially ambiguous terms or concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "I'm defining" in casual conversation where a simple explanation would suffice; it can sound overly formal or pedantic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I'm defining" primarily functions as a declarative statement introducing a definition or clarification. As Ludwig AI shows, it signals the speaker's intent to specify the meaning of a term or concept within a particular context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I'm defining" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression employed to introduce a specific definition or clarification. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for a range of contexts, from news articles to scientific publications. Although "I'm defining" is appropriate in various situations, it is advisable to consider the audience and setting, since more informal alternatives might be better suited in some scenarios. Consider the related phrases, such as "I am defining", "I would define" or "What I mean by" to fine-tune the message you are trying to convey. By understanding the subtleties of the phrase, writers can effectively communicate their intended meaning with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am defining

Formal version of the expression.

I would define

Expressing a hypothetical or conditional definition.

My definition is

Shifting the focus to the resulting definition rather than the act of defining.

I mean by

Focuses on clarifying one's intention or meaning.

What I mean by

Similar to "I mean by", but introducing the clarification.

I'm characterizing

Using "characterizing" instead of "defining", implying a description of key attributes.

I'm specifying

Using "specifying" instead of "defining", implying a more precise and detailed explanation.

I'm illustrating

Providing an example or case to explain the phrase.

For the purpose of this

Formal way to introduce a definition for a specific context.

I'm interpreting

Using "interpreting" instead of "defining", implying a subjective understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "I'm defining" in a sentence?

You can use "I'm defining" to introduce a specific meaning you're assigning to a term or concept, for example, "In this context, "I'm defining" 'success' as achieving personal fulfillment, not just financial gain".

What's a more formal alternative to "I'm defining"?

A more formal alternative to "I'm defining" is "I am defining". This subtle change adds a touch of formality suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is it ever incorrect to use "I'm defining"?

While grammatically correct, using "I'm defining" can sound overly formal in casual settings. In informal conversations, a simpler phrase like "I mean" or "What I mean is" might be more appropriate.

How does "I'm defining" differ from "I'm describing"?

"I'm defining" provides a specific meaning or scope for a term, while "I'm describing" offers a detailed account of something's characteristics or features. Defining sets boundaries, while describing paints a picture.