can be categorised as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be categorised as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when classifying or grouping something into a specific category or type. Example: "The various species of birds can be categorised as either migratory or non-migratory."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cookies also have, broadly speaking, four different functions and can be categorised as follow: 'strictly necessary' cookies, 'performance' cookies, 'functionality' cookies and 'targeting' or 'advertising' cookies.

Independent

In accounting terms, that redirection can be categorised as newish money rather than brand new money.

The Guardian

Some of it can be categorised as art, and some as commerce.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Major classes of chicken portions can be categorised as breast, leg, fillet, wing, and drumstick.

Biosystems Engineering

According to Jeong A, her work can be categorised as poetry built with physical materials instead of words.

The Guardian - Arts

Current syntheses can be categorised as soft template, hard template and dual template (a combination of hard and soft template).

Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering

Findings from the Aachen University in Germany have shown that approximately 20 per cent of people can be categorised as night owls and only 10 per cent can be categorised as "early birds" - the other 70 per cent are intermediates.

Independent

Arbitrary incommunicado detention of a prisoner is a crime under international law; such detention, extended indefinitely, can be categorised as torture.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is particularly odd when so few of the writers she draws upon (Sontag, Woolf, Orbach, Foucault) can be categorised as entirely heterosexual.

The Guardian - Books

In the fifth century BC, we reach more convincing examples of people who can be categorised as atheists in the strong modern sense of the word.

The Guardian - Books

Every email that isn't garbage, I tell them as they back away in alarm, can be categorised as either "active" or "reference".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be categorised as", ensure the categories you are using are clearly defined and mutually exclusive to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify that items "can be categorised as" 'essential', 'useful', or 'unnecessary'.

Common error

Avoid using categories that overlap, as this can create confusion. Instead of saying items "can be categorised as" 'efficient' or 'cost-effective', consider using a single category like 'economical' that encompasses both qualities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be categorised as" functions as a verb phrase used to classify or group subjects based on shared attributes or characteristics. As shown by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be categorised as" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb phrase used to classify subjects based on shared characteristics. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is accurate and suitable for various contexts. Its primary function is to provide a structured understanding by placing items into defined categories, and it maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, this phrase serves as a clear and effective tool for organization and explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be classified as

Replaces 'categorised' with 'classified', a direct synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

can be grouped as

Substitutes 'categorised' with 'grouped', focusing on the act of forming groups based on shared characteristics.

can be identified as

Shifts the focus to recognizing and naming the category something belongs to.

can be described as

Emphasizes providing a description that fits a particular category.

can be labeled as

Highlights the act of assigning a label or name corresponding to a specific category.

can be designated as

Suggests a more formal or official assignment to a category.

can be characterized as

Focuses on the key characteristics that allow something to be placed within a category.

can be sorted into

Emphasizes the action of sorting items into distinct categories.

can be divided into

Highlights the process of splitting a larger group into smaller, distinct categories.

can be considered as

Implies a more subjective assessment of which category something belongs to.

FAQs

How can I use "can be categorised as" in a sentence?

Use "can be categorised as" to classify items into specific groups based on shared characteristics. For instance, "Cookies can be categorised as either 'strictly necessary' or 'performance' cookies".

What are some alternatives to "can be categorised as"?

You can use alternatives like "can be classified as", "can be grouped as", or "can be identified as" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "can be categorised as" in formal writing?

Yes, "can be categorised as" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to indicate that items belong to certain categories. However, use the most precise language available to avoid ambiguity.

What is the difference between "can be categorised as" and "can be described as"?

"Can be categorised as" implies placing something into a specific, defined category. "Can be described as" focuses on providing a general description of something, which may not involve strict categorization.