be described

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be described" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how something can be characterized or explained in terms of its features or qualities. Example: "The process can be described as a series of steps that lead to the final outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Torture cannot be described.

Independent

The final will be described on Monday.

The New York Times

The marriage cannot be described as happy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Can it be described as a pandemic?

Independent

Exercise could be described as Nietzschean.

The New York Times

His results can be described as follows.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It can certainly be described as momentous.

Independent

Can conscious experience be described accurately?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Courses must be described in detail.

Cornell University

These will be described in detail later.

Cornell University

They would be described as moronic.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be described", ensure the context clearly indicates what is doing the describing. For example, "The process can "be described" as iterative" provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "be described" without providing sufficient detail or context. Simply stating something "can "be described"" without actually describing it leaves the reader without useful information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be described" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject receives the action of describing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be described" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate how something is characterized or represented. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. When using "be described", ensure clarity and provide sufficient detail to effectively convey the intended meaning. While alternative phrases like "be characterized" or "be defined" exist, "be described" remains a common and effective choice for expressing descriptive information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be characterized

Focuses on the act of defining characteristics rather than a simple description.

may be defined

Emphasizes a formal or precise definition.

could be portrayed

Suggests a representation, often artistic or figurative.

might be depicted

Similar to portrayed, but often implies a visual representation.

can be explained

Highlights the act of making something understandable.

may be illustrated

Implies the use of examples or figures to clarify a concept.

might be represented

Focuses on how something is shown or symbolized.

is amenable to description

Indicates that something is suitable for being described.

lends itself to description

Similar to 'amenable to description', suggesting ease of description.

can be conceptualized

Focuses on the mental representation or understanding of something.

FAQs

How can I use "be described" in a sentence?

Use "be described" when you want to explain how something is characterized. For example, "The situation can "be described" as complex" or "The method can "be described" in three steps".

What can I say instead of "be described"?

Alternatives include "be characterized", "be defined", or "be portrayed", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "can be described" or "could be described"?

"Can "be described"" suggests a general possibility, while "could "be described"" implies a conditional or hypothetical situation. Choose the one that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "be described" and "be explained"?

"Be described" focuses on providing a representation or account, while "be explained" emphasizes making something understandable. Use "be explained" when clarifying a process or concept is the primary goal.