a verbal description

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a verbal description" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an explanation or account that is expressed in spoken words rather than written form. Example: "In the meeting, she provided a verbal description of the project to ensure everyone understood the key points."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's never apparent beforehand, in a verbal description of the choreography, the collaborators, and the dancers; and it's not necessarily discernible in the first minutes of a piece.

The New Yorker

With certain artists he has a standing agreement that he will buy work sight unseen, or else he is persuaded by a verbal description as much as by any image.

The New York Times

A verbal description won't do it justice, but I'll try: sensors pick up the motion of passers-by and translate the bodies into colored lights in motion projected on a wall — a public art project in the truest sense.

The New York Times

A few weeks since, the idea struck him that the old plan of a verbal description of a rascal's personal appearance entered on the police books, as to height, complexion, age, etc., might be greatly amended.

The New York Times

Or he may simply describe the general character of a passage by resorting to a specially designed symbol, a verbal description, or even an impressionistic drawing (as in Earle Brown's Hodograph).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Second thoughts seem to have stopped him from proceeding beyond a verbal description of "The Cemetery of Solferino," a response to the Franco-Austrian war of 1859 which would have shown two exotic French auxiliaries — a turbaned Zouave and a fez-wearing African "Turco" — brandishing Austrian heads on the points of their bayonets.

The New Yorker

Just as I believe that a painter cannot sit down to his morning coffee without noticing what color it is, so a writer cannot see an odd little gesture without putting a verbal description to it, and ought never to let a moment go by undescribed.

The New Yorker

At both Planned Parenthood clinics and independent clinics, directors say they immediately notified their doctors on Jan . 10 when they learned that a federal court had ordered Texas to enforce the provision requiring pregnant women to hear the heartbeat and view the sonogram, or else listen to a verbal description of the fetus.

The New York Times

The present study utilized a verbal description approach.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Certainly, for example, a map is a greater aid to navigation than a verbal description of a landscape.

SEP

An ethogram is a thorough catalogue of the characteristic behavioral units of a species, and each unit is given a verbal description and perhaps an image.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a verbal description" when you need to specify that the description is spoken, not written. This distinction is crucial when contrasting oral and written communication.

Common error

Avoid using "a verbal description" when a written description is more appropriate or required. Ensure the context clearly indicates a spoken account.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a verbal description" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to denote a spoken account, explanation, or depiction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a verbal description" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that specifies a spoken account or explanation, according to Ludwig AI. It is versatile and applicable across various contexts, including science, news, and general conversation. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's essential to ensure the context warrants a spoken description rather than a written one. Alternatives such as "an oral account" or "a spoken explanation" can be used for variety, but the core meaning remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an oral account

This alternative replaces "description" with "account", focusing on the spoken delivery of information.

a spoken explanation

This alternative uses "explanation" instead of "description", highlighting the act of clarifying or interpreting something verbally.

a vocal portrayal

This alternative employs "portrayal" to emphasize the act of vividly representing something through spoken words.

a word-of-mouth account

This alternative suggests that the description is being passed on from one person to another.

a narrative told aloud

This alternative is more elaborate but emphasizes storytelling.

a spoken depiction

This option substitutes "description" with "depiction", which may provide a better fit for certain creative contexts.

an articulated explanation

The word "articulated" highlights the clarity and detail of the explanation.

a communicated account

This uses a more formal term, focusing on the act of conveying information.

a spoken record

Using "record" implies a more formal and accurate recounting of something.

a recounted narrative

This option emphasizes the act of telling or narrating an event or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "a verbal description" in a sentence?

You can use "a verbal description" to specify that information is conveyed through spoken words. For example, "The police relied on "a verbal description" from the witness to identify the suspect."

What can I say instead of "a verbal description"?

Alternatives include "an oral account", "a spoken explanation", or "a vocal portrayal", depending on the specific context.

Is "a verbal description" formal or informal?

"A verbal description" is generally neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the content and delivery of the description itself.

Which is correct, "a verbal description" or "an oral description"?

Both "a verbal description" and "an oral description" are correct and can be used interchangeably. "Verbal" emphasizes the use of words, while "oral" emphasizes the spoken nature of the description.