characterized the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "characterized the problem" is not correct in standard English usage.
It can be used when discussing how a particular issue or situation is defined or described, but it typically requires a subject to clarify who or what is doing the characterizing. Example: "The report characterized the problem as one of miscommunication among team members."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

He characterized the problem as unprecedented in its magnitude.

The New York Times

The bank characterized the problem as a mistake.

The New York Times

American said the planes were safe all along and characterized the problem as a matter of compliance, not safety.

The New York Times

But he offered no new dollars today and characterized the problem as a complicated one that United States money by itself would not solve.

The New York Times

We systematically characterized the problem of RMAs and identified several possible ways in which RMA could interfere with accurate variant discovery and annotation.

Nature

"We believe the researchers have accurately characterized the problem" with the 911 system, said Trey Forgety, director of government affairs for the National Emergency Number Association, who received a copy of the researchers' paper from DHS.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

American characterized the problems found by F.A.A. inspectors as trivial and posing no threat to safety.

The New York Times

Indeed, while Mr. Bush and his Republican supporters characterized the problems as isolated to South Florida, there were, in fact, serious problems at precincts elsewhere in the state.

The New York Times

Since mortgage paperwork flaws became front-page news this fall, the banks caught in the glare have characterized the problems as technicalities that are easily remedied.

The New York Times

K. C. Johnson, a historian at the City University of New York, characterizes the problem as pedagogical, not political.

The New York Times - Books

How does Edward Lee characterize the problem of pilot's resistance to automatic safety controls?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "characterized the problem" when you want to convey a specific and well-defined understanding or presentation of an issue, often after careful consideration or analysis.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "characterized the problem" can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "described the issue" or "explained what's wrong" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "characterized the problem" typically functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action performed on a specific issue. Based on the examples, this phrase is used to describe the act of defining or presenting the nature of a problem, often in a specific way. Ludwig AI shows that different contexts are used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "characterized the problem" is used to define or describe an issue in a specific and considered manner, common across news, scientific, and business contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is acceptable but relatively uncommon. While grammatically correct, it's best suited for formal settings, and it's useful to remember to have alternatives on hand for less formal situations, as indicated by Ludwig's linguistic analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Defined the issue

Focuses on setting boundaries or limits to the problem, making it distinct from describing its attributes.

Described the matter

Emphasizes providing details and information about the problem, a broader approach than characterizing.

Identified the difficulty

Highlights the act of recognizing and naming the problem, differing from a full characterization.

Explained the predicament

Centers on clarifying the problem's nature and causes, rather than just describing its attributes.

Framed the challenge

Suggests presenting the problem in a specific way, often to influence understanding or action.

Assessed the situation

Focuses on evaluating the problem's importance or impact, which is a more evaluative action.

Analyzed the trouble

Implies a detailed examination of the problem's components and relationships.

Diagnosed the root cause

Pinpoints the fundamental reason the problem exists, often used in technical or medical contexts.

Interpreted the complexity

Highlights understanding a complex problem rather than just describing its attributes.

Conceptualized the enigma

Stresses forming an abstract idea or concept of a mysterious or puzzling problem.

FAQs

What does "characterized the problem" mean?

It means to have described the nature or main qualities of the problem in a distinct way, usually after careful consideration or analysis. It implies giving the problem a specific character or definition.

What are some alternatives to "characterized the problem"?

You can use alternatives like "defined the issue", "described the matter", or "identified the difficulty" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "characterized of the problem" instead of "characterized the problem"?

No, the correct phrase is "characterized the problem". The preposition "of" is not needed and changes the meaning. "Characterized the problem" directly identifies what was characterized.

How is "characterized the problem" different from "explained the problem"?

"Explained the problem" focuses on making the problem understandable by describing its causes or consequences. In comparison, "characterized the problem" focuses on defining its key attributes or nature, possibly without fully explaining it.