an exact description

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an exact description" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that a description is precise and without any ambiguity. Example: "The scientist provided an exact description of the experiment's methodology to ensure reproducibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

McCrum jumps in: "Neutral and intelligible: this is an exact description of Globish".

The New York Times - Books

In Portland, Oregon, it is an exact description of city policy.

The Economist

Booth, G. H., Grüneis, A., Kresse, G. & Alavi, A. Towards an exact description of electronic wavefunctions in real solids.

Nature

In his Paris Review interview, he said: "The common conception of how novels get written seems to me to be an exact description of writer's block.

The Guardian - Books

This is how JK Rowling described Hermione Granger; it was also an exact description of my frizzy-haired, buck-toothed, six-year-old daughter Jay.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. de Montebello also said that an an exact description might be irrelevant for works of this period, which were essentially manufactured.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

This formulation provides an asymptotically exact description of the dendritic network dynamics in the limit of small Péclet number ρV/D ≪ 1, where D is the solute diffusivity.

Acta Materialia

This is a nearly exact description of the endgame conundrum facing President Obama as he prepares for a critical visit by Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, planned for early January.

The New York Times

In the 17th century, Johannes Kepler and Isaac Newton discovered the basic physical laws governing orbits; in the 20th century, Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity supplied a more exact description.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Still, Reddit may need to outline a more exact description of what does and doesn't fly.

TechCrunch

For instance, if the source is described as a cat, it is necessary to include "mewing", "purring", or "hissing" to provide a more exact description.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an exact description" when you need to convey that the details provided are precise and leave no room for ambiguity. It is suitable for technical, scientific, and legal contexts where accuracy is paramount.

Common error

Avoid using "an exact description" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a good description" or "a clear picture" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an exact description" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the object of a verb or preposition. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It emphasizes precision and clarity in conveying information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

37%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an exact description" is a versatile phrase used to convey precision and accuracy. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts. As seen in the examples, its use spans across scientific, journalistic, and academic domains. When using the phrase, ensure that the context calls for a high degree of accuracy; otherwise, consider more informal alternatives. While "an exact description" is widely used, avoiding overuse in casual conversation is recommended to maintain a natural tone. Some appropriate alternatives are "precise account", "detailed portrayal" or "faithful rendition".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a precise depiction

Emphasizes accuracy and attention to detail in the representation.

an accurate portrayal

Focuses on the faithfulness and correctness of the representation.

a faithful account

Highlights the loyalty and truthfulness to the original subject or event.

a detailed representation

Stresses the comprehensive nature of the description, including many specifics.

a meticulous explanation

Indicates thoroughness and careful attention to detail in clarifying something.

a definitive characterization

Suggests a conclusive and authoritative description that sets a standard.

a true likeness

Implies that the description closely resembles the original subject.

a perfect rendition

Conveys the idea that the description is flawlessly executed.

a clear explication

Emphasizes the clarity and comprehensibility of the description.

a spot-on interpretation

Highlights the accuracy and correctness of the understanding and explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "an exact description" in a sentence?

Use "an exact description" to indicate that something is portrayed with precision and accuracy. For example, "The witness provided "an exact description" of the suspect to the police."

What are some alternatives to "an exact description"?

Alternatives include "a precise account", "a detailed portrayal", or "a faithful rendition" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "an exact description" or "a detailed description"?

"An exact description" emphasizes accuracy and precision, whereas "a detailed description" focuses on the completeness of the information. Choose the phrase that best fits the context and the aspect you want to highlight.

When is it appropriate to use "an exact description" in writing?

It's appropriate when accuracy and precision are crucial, such as in scientific reports, legal documents, or technical manuals. In less formal writing, consider using alternatives like "a clear picture" or "a good description".