at a description of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a description of" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where one is referring to a specific instance or example of a description, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "I was surprised at a description of the event that was so vivid and detailed."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The minister also expressed "astonishment" at a description of patients who travel from Wales to England for treatment as "refugees" by the Tory Welsh MP David Davies.

The Guardian

Whereas descriptivists like Saussure examined samples of individual speech to arrive at a description of a language, transformationalists first studied the underlying structure of a language.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Prithee," you think, as you watch Worsley guffawing at a description of Tudor bog roll, "don't let this sort of thing go the way of BBC4's drama department, ie get kneecapped and die.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The woman scoffed at a description of her in an article this week in The New York Times in which a park maintenance worker said he thought he knew her, describing her as "a nice old lady" who always sits on a bench.

The New York Times

There are several ways to arrive at a description of stimulus-response behavior of a system, which all start at a description of desired emergent behavior of the composite system.

Design Methods for Reactive Systems Yourdon, Statemate, and the UML

Overall, Tatu (Tatu 2008) represents a valuable attempt to apply a systemic functional perspective to the description of the BH clause, and although it is somewhat limited in scope, it represents one of the only attempts at a description of the language's lexicogrammar.

Functional Linguistics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The term numinous is used at present as a description of the sacred to indicate its power, before which man trembles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While the result can be taken at face-value as a description of what was observed, more detail would make the data much more convincing.

eLife

Many of the hustlers trying to break into the movie game would puff with pride at such a description of the world in which they live.

The New York Times

Schelling claimed that Hegelian dialectics provides, at best, a description of the development of constraining conditions on reality's self-unfolding.

SEP

I have seen biologists nod contentedly at such a description of student-directed scientific progress, but physicists start to squirm.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically acceptable, consider using alternatives like "regarding", "concerning", or "in relation to" for improved clarity and flow.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "at a description of". Vary your sentence structure by using prepositions like "in", "of", or "about" for more nuanced expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a description of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating a relationship or association with a description. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, though often suggesting more common alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a description of" is grammatically acceptable, though it may not be the most common or stylistically preferred choice in modern English. Ludwig AI indicates that alternatives like "regarding a description of" or "in a description of" often provide improved clarity and flow. While the phrase appears in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, writers should consider more nuanced prepositions to enhance their expression. Using more precise language improves writing by avoiding over-reliance on potentially awkward phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding a description of

Replaces "at" with "regarding", focusing on the description as the topic.

concerning a description of

Substitutes "at" with "concerning", indicating the subject matter of the description.

in relation to a description of

Replaces "at" with "in relation to", showing a connection or association.

about a description of

Uses "about" instead of "at", highlighting the topic of the description.

pertaining to a description of

Substitutes "at" with "pertaining to", indicating relevance or connection.

with respect to a description of

Replaces "at" with "with respect to", suggesting a specific viewpoint or aspect.

in connection with a description of

Uses "in connection with" instead of "at", emphasizing an association or link.

in the context of a description of

Specifies "in the context of", framing the description within a particular setting.

considering a description of

Replaces "at" with "considering", suggesting deliberation or evaluation.

given a description of

Uses "given" instead of "at", indicating that the description is a starting point or premise.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "regarding a description of", "concerning a description of", or "in relation to a description of" depending on the context.

Is "at a description of" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "at a description of" isn't the most common or stylistically preferred choice. Consider using "in a description of" or "regarding a description of" for improved clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "at a description of"?

It is appropriate when referring to something in relation to a particular description, but it may sound slightly awkward. Alternatives often provide better flow and clarity.

How can I improve my writing by avoiding "at a description of"?

Opt for more precise prepositions that better reflect the intended relationship between elements in your sentence. For example, use "in" when something is contained within the description or "about" when referring to the topic of the description.