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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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be characterised to

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be characterised to" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may confuse readers. Example: "The species can be characterised to exhibit unique traits that distinguish it from others."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

This means that it can be characterised, to a good degree of accuracy, by a single temperature: a chilly 2.7 degrees above absolute zero.

News & Media

The Guardian

The behavioural patterns of the vehicle recycling systems show that the commonly used multi-material joining choices have led to increasing impurities and valuable material losses during ELV recycling, that can be characterised to well-known system archetypes: "Fixes that Fail" and "Shifting the Burden".

The only nematode odorant receptor to be characterised to date seems to conform to this pattern.

Science

Plosone

New cell lines should be characterised to confirm their immortality, authenticity and tissue or cell type (Drexler and Matsuo, 1999).

7 9 Sexual HIV transmission dynamics in these MSM populations are not well known and need to be characterised to inform HIV prevention strategies.

Science

BMJ Open

Only such data will allow determining the minimum number of CTCs that has to be characterised to obtain clinically meaningful results from CTC-based biomarker analysis.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

In a statement to Buzzfeed, Fox News said it had "published what was characterised to us as a first person account of Ms. Woolrich's experiences".

News & Media

Independent

The initial and desulphurized coal sample was characterised to determine its physicochemical fuel properties.

A rare tube colour named "Laque verte clair" was characterised to be mixture of Prussian blue and synthetic Indian yellow.

The flow pattern was characterised to gain information about the residence time distribution and mixing effects.

Silica gel and Pani@SG (ES) nanocomposite were characterised to identify shape and size of their particles by TEM.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "be characterised to" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more conventional alternatives such as "be described as" or "be defined as".

Common error

A common mistake is to overuse the passive voice with the incorrect preposition. Instead of saying "the data can be characterised to show", say "the data can be described as showing" or "the data can be characterised by showing".

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

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be characterised to" functions as part of a passive construction where an attempt is made to describe or define a subject. However, it's grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use as Ludwig AI confirms. The correct phrasing would typically involve using alternatives like "be described as" or "be defined as".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

23%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be characterised to" appears in some sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's advisable to avoid this phrase and opt for more conventional alternatives like "be described as", "be defined as", or "be known as". These alternatives ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, enhancing the quality of your writing. The primary intent is often to describe or attribute qualities, but the non-standard usage can detract from effective communication. Therefore, choosing the right phrase will ensure the message is delivered accurately and professionally.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "be characterised to"?

Instead of "be characterised to", use more standard phrases like "be described as", "be defined as", or "be known as" depending on the context.

Is "be characterised to" grammatically correct?

No, "be characterised to" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use alternative phrases like "be described as".

How can I use "be described as" in a sentence instead of "be characterised to"?

Instead of "The phenomenon can be characterised to have X characteristic", you can say, "The phenomenon can be described as having X characteristic".

What is the difference between "be characterised to" and "be characterised by"?

"Be characterised to" is generally considered incorrect. "Be characterised by" is the correct phrasing, meaning to have certain features that are typical of something.

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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: