been described as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been described as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to how something or someone has been characterized or labeled by others in the past. Example: "The novel has been described as a groundbreaking work of fiction that challenges societal norms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Butler has been described as a throwback.

The New York Times - Sports

The book had been described as "unfilmable".

Independent

Their inclusion has been described as symbolic.

The New York Times - Sports

LaFleur has been described as his clone.

The New Yorker

It has been described as a "miracle".

The New Yorker

Lee has been described as many things.

The Guardian

Has been described as "surprisingly comforting".

The New Yorker

The food has been described as fusion.

The New York Times - Travel

They've been described as mosaics gone mad.

The Guardian - Film

This has been described as "EEA-minus".

The Guardian

He has been described as highly experienced.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been described as" to introduce opinions, perceptions, or characterizations, but be mindful of potential bias. Provide evidence or further explanation to support the description.

Common error

Avoid using "been described as" excessively, as it can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. Opt for active voice constructions where possible to create a stronger impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been described as" functions as a passive reporting clause. It introduces a description, label, or characterization attributed to an unspecified source. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "been described as" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce how something or someone is perceived or characterized. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, this construction is perfectly correct. It is particularly common in news media but also appears in scientific and general writing. While the passive voice can sometimes be overused, employing this phrase is an effective way to convey information about attributions and characterizations, remembering to maintain clarity by explaining from where this description is sourced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been characterized as

Replaces "described" with a synonym, emphasizing the act of characterization.

been labeled as

Focuses on the act of assigning a label or category to something.

been referred to as

Highlights the act of mentioning or alluding to something with a specific term.

been known as

Indicates a common or widespread perception or understanding.

been portrayed as

Emphasizes the manner in which something is represented or depicted.

been considered to be

Focuses on a formal assessment or judgment of something.

been regarded as

Highlights a particular opinion or viewpoint about something.

been identified as

Emphasizes the act of recognizing or distinguishing something.

been classified as

Highlights a systematic categorization of something.

been defined as

Focuses on the act of providing a precise meaning or explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "been described as" in a sentence?

You can use "been described as" to introduce how something or someone is perceived or characterized by others. For instance, "The new policy has "been described as" a significant step forward".

What are some alternatives to "been described as"?

Alternatives include "been characterized as", "been labeled as", or "been referred to as". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "been described as"?

While "been described as" is in the passive voice, it's grammatically correct. However, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The project has "been described as" ambitious", you could say "Critics describe the project as ambitious".

What's the difference between "been described as" and "is described as"?

"Been described as" implies that the description has occurred at some point in the past and continues to be relevant, while "is described as" suggests a more current or ongoing description. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the historical aspect of the description.