by two terms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by two terms" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a mathematical or logical expression that involves two specific terms or components. Example: "The equation can be simplified by two terms to make it easier to solve."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

He in turn was followed by two terms of Bush's son.

The New York Times

… George H. W. Bush left office to be followed by two terms of Bill Clinton.

The New York Times

The Polynesian system of exchange of goods and services may be summarized by two terms: redistribution and reciprocity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was followed by two terms as governor of California in the rioting 1960s and 1970s, no easy ride.

The Economist

The explanations are varied and, by their nature, sketchy a sense of desperation; a pattern of contagious, ritualized attacks; the specific rage inspired among bigots by two terms under America's first black President.

The New Yorker

The explanations are varied and, by their nature, sketchy — a sense of desperation; a pattern of contagious, ritualized attacks; the specific rage inspired among bigots by two terms under America's first black President.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

After school in Maidenhead, she had taken a degree in English followed by three terms on a postgraduate journalism course at the London College of Communication.

The Guardian

ARIMA model of a time series is defined by three terms (p, d, q).

Applied Water Science

The temporal change of the observed field at a given point on the Earth's surface, generally expressed by its first time derivative, would be described by six terms, three of internal origin and three of external origin.

Earth, Planets and Space

When the homogeneous agreement model still cannot adequately capture the agreement information in the data, the homogeneous agreement term is replaced by three terms representing different agreement strengths in each reading category.

EJNMMI Research

The MMFF energy expression is constituted by seven terms: bond stretching, angle bending, stretch-bend, out-of-plane bending, torsional, van der Waals and electrostatic (Equation 1); the functional form of individual terms is reported in the original literature [2].

Journal of Cheminformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by two terms", ensure that the two terms are clearly defined and relevant to the context. This phrase is particularly useful in technical writing, scientific reports, and mathematical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "by two terms" in informal settings or when the concept isn't related to distinct, definable terms. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly technical or pretentious in inappropriate contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by two terms" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the method or means by which something is described, defined, or composed. Ludwig provides examples where it's used to describe equations, models, and concepts in various fields.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by two terms" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to specify that something is defined, described, or composed using two distinct elements, especially in technical and scientific writing. While it's mostly employed in formal contexts like scientific publications and news articles, using related alternatives like "using a two-term approach" can provide variety. Just be mindful of avoiding overuse in informal contexts where a simpler phrasing might be more appropriate. Key authoritative sources include The New York Times, The Guardian, and scientific journals, indicating its acceptance and utility across various disciplines.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

using a two-term approach

Emphasizes the methodology rather than the composition.

composed of two terms

Focuses on the composition of something.

expressed with two terms

Highlights the expression or representation.

defined by a pair of terms

Focuses on definition using two specific elements.

represented by two terms

Stresses the act of representation.

involving two terms

Highlights the involvement of two specific elements.

split into two terms

Implies a division or separation.

consisting of two terms

Similar to 'composed of', focusing on the constituents.

described through two terms

Emphasizes the descriptive aspect.

characterized by two terms

Focuses on the distinctive characteristics.

FAQs

How can I use "by two terms" in a sentence?

You can use "by two terms" to describe a concept or equation that is defined or expressed using two specific components. For example, "The model is characterized by two terms: efficiency and cost-effectiveness."

What is an alternative to saying "by two terms"?

Alternatives include "using a two-term approach", "composed of two terms", or "expressed with two terms", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "with two terms" instead of "by two terms"?

Yes, "with two terms" can be a suitable alternative in many contexts, although "by two terms" often implies a more formal or technical definition. The best choice depends on the specific sentence and desired tone.

What's the difference between "described by two terms" and "characterized by two terms"?

"Described by two terms" generally refers to a comprehensive account or explanation, while "characterized by two terms" suggests that these terms are key distinguishing features. For example, a phenomenon might be described "described by two terms" (like temperature and pressure), but characterized "characterized by two terms" (like stability and reactivity).