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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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are characterized to

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are characterized to" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct form would be "are characterized by" or "are characterized as." Example: "These species are characterized by their unique adaptations to extreme environments."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Academia

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Retrievals of orthopedic implants are characterized to model in vivo degradation and physiological loading.

FINs are characterized to have a short axon and are located in close proximity to the Mauthner cell6.

Science & Research

Nature

The relative performances of the electrodes are characterized to facilitate comparison between design methodologies.

Then the data sets are characterized to represent different aspects of the strut working behaviors.

Continuous CNT yarn reinforced Ultem® specimens are characterized to determine their mechanical and electrical properties.

The mechanical properties of the tooling materials are characterized to identify the underlying failure mechanisms.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

A number of ATP synthases have been characterized to date.

The complete micropump will be characterized to verify our design.

The film thickness was characterized to be about 30 nm by a planar Si substrate.

The impact of frequency and turbidity on optical section thickness and SNR was characterized to determine the optimal imaging frequency.

Hence, it is characterized, to use Nishida's terminology, as "seeing without a seer".

Science

SEP
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "are characterized by" or "are characterized as" instead of "are characterized to" to ensure grammatical correctness. For example, "These cells are characterized by their rapid growth".

Common error

Avoid using "to" after "characterized". The correct prepositions are "by" or "as". Using "to" makes the sentence grammatically incorrect. For example, do not say "The material properties are characterized to high strength", instead use "The material properties are characterized by high strength".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are characterized to" functions as a passive construction, aiming to describe attributes or features. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this is not a correct usage. Examples in Ludwig show it often appears in scientific contexts, though incorrectly.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

63%

Academia

11%

Science & Research

7%

Less common in

News & Media

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "are characterized to" appears with some frequency, especially in scientific and academic writing, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct forms are "are characterized by" or "are characterized as". Despite its common usage, particularly in sources like ScienceDirect and BMC Genomics, writers should avoid "are characterized to" in favor of grammatically sound alternatives to maintain clarity and credibility. Always opt for "are characterized by" or "are characterized as" to ensure your writing is both accurate and professional.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "characterized" in a sentence?

The word "characterized" should typically be followed by "by" or "as". For example, "The process is characterized by its efficiency" or "The phenomenon is characterized as complex".

What can I say instead of "are characterized to"?

You can use alternatives like "are defined as", "are described as", or "are identified by" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are characterized to" or "are characterized by"?

"Are characterized by" is the correct and grammatically sound option. The phrase "are characterized to" is generally considered incorrect.

Is "are characterized to" ever acceptable in formal writing?

While you might find "are characterized to" in some contexts, especially in scientific literature, it's generally best to avoid it in formal writing. Opt for "are characterized by" or "are characterized as" for clearer and grammatically correct phrasing.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: