characterized themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "characterized themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how individuals or groups define or describe their own traits, qualities, or identities. Example: "In their interviews, the candidates characterized themselves as innovative thinkers and team players."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Mr. Bush was backed by independents who characterized themselves as conservative.

The New York Times

He called them an "effete corps of impudent snobs who characterized themselves as intellectuals".

The New Yorker

(Agnew, who derided people who "characterized themselves as intellectuals," himself used many intellectual-sounding phrases in his speeches).

The New Yorker

Mr. Lazio was backed by 55percentt of the independents who characterized themselves as moderate and 72percentt of those who said they were conservative.

The New York Times

Still, several donors characterized themselves as centrist Republicans who favored abortion rights, though their moderation did not extend to their feelings toward Mrs. Clinton.

The New York Times

Mr. Corzine was backed by most voters who said they characterized themselves as politically liberal, while most conservatives voted for Mr. Franks.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

In cognitive interviews, participants expressed a strong distaste for the term 'suffering.' They resisted characterizing themselves this way and argued that 'suffering' was an overly excessive characterization of their experience with physical and/or emotional pain.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Some 24percentt of black adults now characterize themselves that way.

The New York Times

Computer intruders, on the other hand, tend to characterize themselves as explorers.

The New York Times - Tech

"Because the manufacturing category is not well defined, firms would have an incentive to characterize themselves as in manufacturing.

The New York Times

What I have noted is a huge difference in scent preference between lesbians who characterize themselves as "more feminine" and those who describe themselves as "more masculine".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternatives like "described themselves" or "identified themselves as" for subtle differences in meaning.

Common error

Don't leave it ambiguous who is doing the characterizing. For instance, instead of saying "They characterized themselves as dedicated", specify "The volunteers characterized themselves as dedicated."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "characterized themselves" serves as a reflexive verb phrase, indicating how individuals or groups define their own qualities or attributes. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is used to describe the act of self-definition or self-portrayal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "characterized themselves" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe how individuals or groups define their own traits and qualities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and general contexts. When writing, ensure clear attribution of who is doing the characterizing and consider alternative phrases like "described themselves" or "identified themselves as" for subtle differences in meaning. While the phrase is suitable for various registers, being mindful of the audience and context is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

described themselves

Replaces "characterized" with "described", focusing on the act of providing details about oneself.

identified themselves as

Emphasizes self-identification with a particular group or characteristic.

portrayed themselves as

Highlights the act of presenting a specific image or likeness of oneself.

defined themselves as

Focuses on establishing a clear and concise understanding of one's own identity.

presented themselves as

Similar to "portrayed", but with a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing the manner of presentation.

regarded themselves as

Indicates how individuals or groups view or think about themselves.

saw themselves as

Focuses on the internal perception or self-image that individuals hold.

labeled themselves as

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

represented themselves as

Focuses on the way individuals outwardly show or express who they are.

styled themselves as

Indicates that individuals have adopted a particular style or persona to define themselves.

FAQs

What does "characterized themselves" mean?

The phrase "characterized themselves" means that a person or group has described or defined their own qualities, traits, or attributes.

How can I use "characterized themselves" in a sentence?

You can use "characterized themselves" to explain how someone portrays their own identity. For example, "The candidates "characterized themselves" as experienced leaders during the debate."

What are some alternatives to "characterized themselves"?

Alternatives to "characterized themselves" include "described themselves", "identified themselves as", or "portrayed themselves as", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "characterized themselves as" and "described themselves as"?

While similar, "characterized themselves as" suggests a more formal or deliberate self-assessment, whereas "described themselves as" is a more general and straightforward way of providing self-information.