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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
characterise
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"characterise" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It typically means to describe a person or thing in terms of their distinctive qualities. For example: "The vibrant colours characterise the painting."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Formal & Business
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
"I wouldn't characterise all those people [ABC interviewers] as leftist – that's far too strong a term," he continued.
News & Media
"Nearly all of those references are used to call our client's success into question or to characterise her personally as difficult.
News & Media
Some academics, however, are worried by student unions' determination to rule on what students should and shouldn't see or discuss – and by what they characterise as universities' failure to challenge it.
News & Media
"I would not characterise it as such," Woods said.
News & Media
Almost every track kisses off someone or other; if it plays it safe in places, such as lead single Mr Know It All, then the cynical snarl of Let Me Down and the cast-iron pop choruses of What Doesn't Kill You and Einstein are full of the bravado and force that characterise Clarkson's best work.
News & Media
The statement on Rahman's website continued by claiming that it was wrong for the judgment to characterise The Tower Hamlets First party, which was led by Rahman, as a "one-man band".
News & Media
After the Bellfield case Samuels was described as "boastful" (for allowing his chamber's website to characterise him as sought-after and highly effective), as earning "hundreds of thousands of pounds" acting for "heinous criminals", and as a resident of a "large, five-bedroom, £1.4m detached house in Prestwich".
News & Media
So how many dramatic cul-de-sacs and interlocked mysteries that increasingly characterise exciting and innovative new shows can the viewer cope with before they became an exercise in frustration?
News & Media
Our work examines a considerably larger collection – 800 books – over multiple genres, providing insights into lexical, syntactic, and discourse patterns that characterise the writing styles commonly shared among the successful literature".
News & Media
Related: 'These women are not statistics' – deaths in Australia in 2015 "The truth is that domestic and family violence is caused by unequal distribution of power and resources between men and women, it's about the rigid gender roles and stereotypes that characterise our society, and the culture and the attitudes that support violence against women".
News & Media
Mawrey predicted that Rahman would characterise his judgment as "yet another example of the racism and Islamophobia that have hounded him throughout his political life".
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "characterise", ensure you clearly identify the specific traits or qualities you are attributing to the subject.
Common error
Avoid using "characterise" in vague contexts where the defining traits are not clearly established or supported by evidence. Instead, provide specific examples or details to justify your characterization.
Source & Trust
91%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The primary grammatical function of "characterise" is that of a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being described or identified by its distinct qualities. Ludwig AI's analysis supports this, showcasing numerous examples where "characterise" acts upon a noun or pronoun.
Frequent in
News & Media
50%
Formal & Business
25%
Science
25%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "characterise" is a versatile transitive verb used to define or describe the key attributes of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, especially in news and media. While alternatives like "describe" or "define" exist, "characterise" specifically emphasizes identifying and highlighting distinctive qualities. Remembering to specify these qualities and avoid vagueness ensures effective communication. With its widespread application and clear function, "characterise" remains a valuable tool for precise and descriptive writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
describe
Focuses on giving an account of features or qualities, differing from "characterise" which implies identifying distinguishing traits.
define
Centers on establishing a precise meaning or scope, unlike "characterise" which is broader in descriptive application.
portray
Emphasizes depicting or representing something, in contrast to "characterise" that highlights essential features.
depict
Similar to 'portray', it involves showing something in a visual or descriptive form, whereas "characterise" focuses on identifying specific attributes.
identify
Highlights the act of recognizing or establishing something as being a particular thing, differing from "characterise" which involves describing its qualities.
mark
Emphasizes pointing out or distinguishing something, differing from "characterise" which involves a more comprehensive description.
distinguish
Focuses on recognizing differences, unlike "characterise" which involves noting typical qualities.
typify
Implies being representative of a particular type, differing from "characterise" that involves describing unique or defining qualities.
label
Centers on assigning a name or category, differing from "characterise" which involves a more detailed description of attributes.
classify
Focuses on arranging into categories, differing from "characterise" which involves describing the qualities that define something.
FAQs
How to use "characterise" in a sentence?
You can use "characterise" to describe the distinctive qualities of something, as in "The artist's bold brushstrokes "characterise" his paintings".
What can I say instead of "characterise"?
Which is correct, "characterise" or "characterize"?
"Characterise" is the British English spelling, while "characterize" is the American English spelling. Both are correct, but choose the spelling that aligns with your audience.
What's the difference between "characterise" and "identify"?
"Characterise" involves describing the qualities of something, while "identify" focuses on recognizing or establishing what something is. They are related but have different nuances.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
91%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested