characterize them from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "characterize them from" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and does not convey a complete thought, as "characterize" typically requires a subject and an object without the preposition "from." Example: "We can characterize them based on their behavior."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This paper presents a review of the types and the generating mechanisms of site amplification, and the models and methods that are used to characterize them from earthquake records.

Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

To identify significant transcriptional temporal patterns in endothelial cells treated with insulin and to characterize them from a functional point of view, an ad hoc analysis pipeline was applied to experimental data.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Consistent with studies from other parts of the world, this study finds that there are aspects of Kenyan fishers' socioeconomic conditions and knowledge about the sea that characterize them as distinct from non-fishers.

Marine Policy

No legislator wants a broadcaster or publisher to characterize them as refusing a request from Santa to help vulnerable children in dire straits.

Vice

William Harcourt-Smith, a paleoanthropologist at the City University of New York and the American Museum of Natural History, who led the foot portion of the investigation, characterized them as "virtually indistinguishable" from ours — feet made for walking, or at least adapted to it.

The New Yorker

That same year, the DHS launched Operation Vigilant Eagle, which calls for surveillance of military veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, characterizing them as extremists and potential domestic terrorist threats because they may be "disgruntled, disillusioned or suffering from the psychological effects of war".

Huffington Post

Indeed, these observations also suggest that (A) HCV is involved not only in driving development but also in maintaining B-NHL and (B) HCV-related B-NHLs have specific biological properties, and consequently molecular features, characterizing them as a subset distinct from HCV-unrelated B-NHLs, despite histological similarity [ 9- 12].

BMC Infectious Diseases

A lawyer for Michael Rigas recently cited excerpts from the report, characterizing them as supportive of his client's innocence.

The New York Times

Studies are in progress to further characterize and identify them, from both a bioinformatics perspective and a biochemical perspective.

Acta neuropathologica communications

However, transcription studies allow confirmation of the activity of hypothetical genes, pre-characterize and remove them from the hypothetical category [ 24, 25].

BMC Genomics

As the evolvability of this category of residues has not been previously characterized, we excluded them from the reference set, which finally was formed only by those mtDNA-encoded residues exposed at the protein surface that are not involved in any sort of intersubunit contacts.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "characterize them from" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives like "describe them" or "distinguish them from."

Common error

The preposition "from" is often misused with "characterize" leading to unclear sentences. Instead of saying "characterize them from", consider using "characterize them as" or rephrasing to avoid the preposition altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "characterize them from" is typically intended to function as a verb phrase, aiming to describe or identify specific attributes that distinguish a subject. However, Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is not correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "characterize them from" is grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity in standard English. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it's not a recognized construction. Although examples can be found in varied sources, it's advisable to use alternatives like "describe them", "distinguish them from", or "define them" for improved clarity and correctness. The phrase appears rarely, and is used in the science and news domain. Therefore, it's best to avoid this phrase in formal writing and opt for more grammatically sound options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

describe them

This alternative replaces "characterize them from" with a simpler and more direct verb, focusing on providing a description.

distinguish them from

This phrase shifts the focus to differentiation rather than characterization, emphasizing the act of telling them apart.

define them

This alternative focuses on providing a precise meaning or scope for the items in question.

identify them

This option emphasizes the act of recognizing or pointing out specific qualities or features.

classify them

This alternative focuses on categorizing the items based on shared characteristics.

portray them

This option emphasizes the way the items are represented or depicted.

assess them

This alternative focuses on evaluating the items based on specific criteria.

evaluate them

This option focuses on determining the value, significance, or condition of the items.

explain them

This alternative is for giving someone the reasons for the item's behavior or meaning.

analyze them

This option is for examining methodically and in detail the constitution or structure of something.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "characterize them from"?

You can use alternatives such as "describe them", "distinguish them from", or "define them" depending on the context.

Is "characterize them from" grammatically correct?

No, "characterize them from" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's best to use alternatives like "describe them" or "distinguish them from."

How do I use "describe them" in a sentence?

You can use "describe them" by saying something like, "We can describe them based on their behavior" or "The report describes them as highly effective."

What's the difference between "characterize them" and "characterize them from"?

"Characterize them" means to describe their qualities or features, while "characterize them from" is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase. You should rephrase it to use a correct preposition or verb.