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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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be characterized to

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be characterized to" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may confuse readers. A more appropriate phrase would be "be characterized by." Example: "The novel can be characterized by its intricate plot and deep character development."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The complete micropump will be characterized to verify our design.

The naked clays will first be characterized to know their phases and crystal structures.

There are important compositional differences among bmr forage sorghum hybrids that need to be characterized to predict animal response accurately.

Therefore, pain mechanisms that specifically operate in MS patients need to be characterized to design optimal treatments for these individuals.

Science

PAIN®

Wind flow patterns change significantly in any direction in built environment: areas separated by very small distances can be characterized to very different wind speeds.

As underlined by Poli and Schmidt (2002), this suggests that a wide pressure-temperature-composition space has to be characterized to predict the evolution of subducting slabs.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

A number of ATP synthases have been characterized to date.

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

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

Science

SEP

Both configurations were characterized to determine the relationship between voltage signal and radioactivity concentration.

PPy-MWCNT nanocomposites were characterized to study chemical structure, morphology, thermal, electrical, and surface properties.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to describe the attributes or qualities of a subject, replace the phrase "be characterized to" with "be characterized by" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to" after "characterized"; the correct preposition is "by". Using "to" can lead to grammatically incorrect sentences and confuse readers. For instance, instead of saying 'The study can be characterized to its innovative approach', say 'The study can "be characterized by" its innovative approach'.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be characterized to" functions as a passive construction intended to describe or define a subject. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""be characterized by"".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

85%

Formal & Business

7%

News & Media

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be characterized to" appears in various contexts, especially in scientific literature, it is considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI explains, the correct phrase is ""be characterized by"". When aiming to describe the attributes of a subject, it is best to use ""be characterized by"" or other alternatives like "be defined as" or "be described as" to ensure accuracy and clarity. Remember to use the correct preposition ("by") to avoid grammatical errors and maintain a professional tone.

FAQs

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

The correct way is to use "characterized by", as in "The process can "be characterized by" its efficiency".

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

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

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

"Be characterized by" is the correct and grammatically sound phrase. "Be characterized to" is not standard English.

In what contexts might I want to use "be defined as" instead of ""be characterized by""?

"Be defined as" is preferable when you are providing a clear, precise, and often formal definition. "Be characterized by" is used more broadly to describe notable qualities or features.

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Most frequent sentences: