are often distorted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are often distorted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations where information, perceptions, or representations are frequently misrepresented or altered from their original form. Example: "In the media, facts about the event are often distorted to create a more sensational story."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Affected plants are often distorted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The facts about the effects of migration on the UK economy, wages and employment are often distorted, difficult to understand or poorly explained.

The Guardian

Permeke is credited with helping to introduce an Expressionist approach typified by images that are often distorted by the artist to express emotional qualities to Belgian art.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When those highly abnormal cells divide by mitosis, the number of chromosomes formed is abnormally elevated, and the mitotic figures (the structures that help to coordinate the division of the chromosomes) are often distorted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Kahneham argues that our memories are often distorted by cognitive biases.

TechCrunch

Speech signals in enclosed environments are often distorted by reverberation and noise.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Indeed, information is often distorted without anyone deliberately twisting it.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said that when Brummies were portrayed on the screen, the accent was often distorted.

Independent

Partly because he seems to come out of nowhere, Berlioz's style is often distorted and mischaracterized.

The New York Times - Arts

The 14th-century bricks were not as precise as the Roman and were often distorted in firing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We watched a serious but self-contained news story explode into a searing drama in which characters with whom we were intimately familiar were often distorted into caricature.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are often distorted", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being distorted and the potential consequences of this distortion. For example, "Data in this report are often distorted by political motivations, leading to inaccurate conclusions."

Common error

Avoid using "are often distorted" without providing specific examples or evidence of the distortion. Instead of saying "Facts are often distorted", provide concrete instances where this occurs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are often distorted" functions as a passive verb phrase, typically used to describe the state of something that has been changed or misrepresented frequently. According to Ludwig, it is a valid and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are often distorted" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It conveys the idea that something is frequently misrepresented or altered. While applicable across various contexts, it's most commonly found in scientific and news-related domains. Understanding the nuances and potential pitfalls of using this phrase, such as overgeneralization, is crucial for clear and effective communication. Several alternative phrases, like "are frequently misrepresented" or "are commonly altered", can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. The phrase functions primarily as a passive verb phrase, expressing that the subject has undergone a distorting process. As Ludwig's AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for varied contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are frequently misrepresented

This alternative emphasizes the misrepresentation aspect more strongly than the distortion.

are generally misrepresented

Similar to "are frequently misrepresented" but with a sense of broad application.

are commonly altered

Focuses on the change or modification aspect, rather than the negative connotation of "distorted".

are regularly skewed

Highlights the biased or slanted nature of the alteration.

are typically deformed

Suggests a change in shape or form, which can be a physical or abstract deformation.

are usually twisted

Implies a deliberate manipulation or perversion of the original.

are normally twisted

Similar to "are usually twisted" but maybe a bit more frequent.

are constantly falsified

Emphasizes the untruthful aspect of the distortion.

are habitually warped

Implies a consistent and ingrained pattern of distortion.

are repeatedly corrupted

Focuses on the damage or degradation caused by the distortion.

FAQs

How can I use "are often distorted" in a sentence?

Use "are often distorted" to describe situations where information, shapes, or representations are frequently misrepresented or altered from their original form. For example, "Memories "are often distorted" by cognitive biases".

What are some alternatives to "are often distorted"?

You can use alternatives like "are frequently misrepresented", "are commonly altered", or "are regularly skewed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "are often distorted" or "are sometimes distorted"?

The choice depends on the frequency you want to emphasize. "Are often distorted" suggests a higher frequency of distortion compared to "are sometimes distorted". If you want to minimize it, you could also use "are rarely distorted".

What does it mean when someone says that "facts are often distorted"?

It means that the information presented as facts is frequently altered, misrepresented, or skewed, often unintentionally or for a specific purpose, leading to an inaccurate or biased understanding. In this case, you can use alternatives like "facts are frequently misrepresented".