characterize me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "characterize me" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used in the context of someone, usually a protagonist, asking someone else to provide an assessment or description of them. For example, "I don't know who I am. Will you characterize me?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

We give formal results which characterize ME's high degree of modularity and elaboration tolerance, and show how these properties help to separate out, and provide principled solutions to, different aspects of the qualification problem.

Artificial Intelligence

Regarding the miRNAs, 20 molecules -most of which are shared by the two (joint and separate) analyses- are found to characterize ME, meaning that no additional nor diminished information appears when comparing miRNA results to the joint analysis.

BMC Systems Biology

"Many in the media like to characterize me and other conservatives as far right and extreme.

The Guardian

"People who characterize me as a mindless muscle-car, cubic-inches fanatic don't know my background," he said.

The New York Times

"Honestly, Senator Sanders is the only person who I think would characterize me, a woman running to be the first woman President, as exemplifying the establishment," she said.

The New Yorker

Well a guy that's been in the gutter, who's spent a good part of his life in the gutter... should think twice about trying to characterize me.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"They characterized me as unworthy, a step away from being a welfare mom," she says now.

The Guardian

In his review of "Truth and Duty," Jonathan Alter characterizes me as "clueless about the realities of how the privileged escaped serving in Vietnam".

The New York Times

"He characterized me as a cold-hearted, unfeeling robber baron," Mr. Romney said at the time, in an interview with The Boston Globe.

The New York Times

"A First Amendment Scholar, Dogged by Free-Speech Fights" (news article, Oct. 22), about President Lee C. Bollinger of Columbia University, while otherwise acknowledging my admiration for his leadership, characterizes me as "unsure" about his leadership on free-speech issues.

The New York Times

In choosing in light of this norm I can be said to recover myself from alienation, from my absorption in the anonymous "one-self" that characterizes me in my everyday engagement in the world.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotation of "characterize". It implies a formal or considered judgment, so it may not be suitable for casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "characterize me" in informal settings where a simple description is sufficient. Overusing formal language can sound unnatural or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "characterize me" functions as a request for a descriptive assessment of the speaker's personality or qualities. Ludwig shows examples where individuals seek to understand how others perceive them, often in professional or personal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "characterize me" is a grammatically sound and usable expression used to solicit a descriptive assessment from another person. While not overly common, as Ludwig's examples demonstrate, it appears most frequently in news and media, reflecting its use in formal evaluations or descriptions. It is important to consider the formality of "characterize" and tailor its use to appropriate contexts. Based on Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and generally used when someone is asking for the listener to describe them.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Describe me

Direct synonym focusing on providing a verbal account.

Define me

Implies establishing clear boundaries or meanings.

Assess me

Focuses on evaluating or judging one's qualities.

Evaluate me

Similar to assess, but can be more formal or structured.

How would you describe me

Turns the phrase into a question, seeking an opinion.

What's your impression of me

Asks for a subjective viewpoint or initial perception.

What are your thoughts on me

Similar to asking for an impression but may invite more detailed thoughts.

What do you make of me

Idiomatic way of asking for an assessment, implying curiosity.

How do you perceive me

Focuses on the manner in which someone is seen or understood.

What's my defining trait

Asks for the most prominent characteristic or quality.

FAQs

How can I use "characterize me" in a sentence?

You can use "characterize me" when you want someone to describe your qualities or nature from their perspective. For instance, "As a new colleague, how would you "characterize me" based on our interactions so far?"

What's a less formal alternative to "characterize me"?

If you're looking for a less formal way to ask someone to describe you, consider using phrases like "describe me" or "what do you think of me".

Is it correct to say "characterize about me" instead of "characterize me"?

No, it is not correct. The correct phrasing is "characterize me". The verb "characterize" takes a direct object, so you don't need the preposition "about". Using "characterize about me" would be grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "characterize me" and "define me"?

"Characterize me" asks for a description of qualities, while "define me" asks for a clarification of identity or role. Characterizing is about traits, defining is about essence.