define are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "define are" is not correct and usable in written English.
It appears to be a fragment and lacks clarity or context, making it difficult to determine its intended meaning. Example: "Please define are in the context of grammar."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The easiest cases to define are former Gaddafi officials with blood on their hands or billions in foreign bank accounts.

The Guardian - Opinion

The physical constraints that we want to define are: the ordering of the sites relative to the gene start, the orientation of the matrices, the maximum allowed distance between Met4 and the polymerase binding site, and the spacing range between Cbf1 and Met31 that can bind Met4.

Plosone

The patterns they define are called matchings which are essentially a pair of aligned subsequences from the two input sequences.

Biology Direct

Such correspondence between different studies targeting distinct classes of biomolecules suggests that the temporal classes of HCMV gene expression we define are likely to be biologically relevant.

Cell

Their findings join a fairly extensive literature about protein aggregates, but the authors propose that the aggregates they define are distinct from previously described protein deposits and furthermore, that they contribute to replicative lifespan.

eLife

We note that the 'alleles private to a combination of populations' that we define are different from the 'regionally private alleles' described for hierarchical sampling schemes by Kalinowski (2004).

Bioinformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I think it's how you define being a filmmaker.

Huffington Post

I define being a victim as engaging in "selfless pain".

Huffington Post

Application platforms, broadly defined, are here to stay.

TechCrunch

The arts, broadly defined, are thriving like never before.

Huffington Post

"And how emergency care is defined is significant.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "define as" or rephrasing the sentence to include a noun phrase such as "the definition is" for clarity and correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "define are" when you intend to define something. Instead, use "define as" or restructure the sentence to ensure proper subject-verb agreement. For example, use "The defining characteristics are..." instead of "The characteristics they define are...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "define are" attempts to serve as a linking verb phrase, aiming to establish a definition or equivalence. However, it's generally grammatically incorrect due to subject-verb disagreement. Ludwig highlights that while examples exist, they often reflect misuse.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "define are" is generally grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in most contexts. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase suffers from subject-verb disagreement, making it unsuitable for formal or professional writing. While there are a few examples of its usage, they are often indicative of grammatical errors. Correct alternatives include using "define as", rephrasing to ensure subject-verb agreement, or employing alternative verbs such as "stipulate" or "specify". Ensuring grammatical accuracy is crucial for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

define as

Changes the construction to the standard "define as" which provides a proper way to indicate equivalence.

the definition is

Uses a noun phrase, making it grammatically correct by clearly specifying the definition of something.

the defining characteristics are

Specifies characteristics instead of a direct definition, suitable when detailing features.

define the features as

Specifies particular features that should be defined.

establish the definition to be

Rephrases to emphasize establishing a formal definition.

specify what they are

Shifts focus to specifying the attributes or elements being defined.

stipulate that they are

Emphasizes a formal or legalistic definition.

clarify their meaning as

Focuses on elucidating the intended significance or interpretation.

delineate them as

Highlights a clear and precise demarcation or outlining of concepts.

articulate the qualities of

Shifts to expressing or explaining the inherent attributes or traits.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "define are"?

The phrase "define are" is generally incorrect. To correct it, use constructions like "define as", such as in, "We "define it as"", or rephrase to use a singular subject, for example, "The definition is...".

What is a grammatically correct alternative to "define are"?

Alternatives include using the phrase "define as", rephrasing to use a singular subject (e.g., "the definition is"), or using a different verb entirely, such as "stipulate" or "specify".

Is it ever correct to use "define are"?

In most standard English contexts, "define are" is grammatically incorrect due to subject-verb disagreement. There may be rare, highly specific contexts where it could be part of a larger, unconventional sentence structure, but these are extremely uncommon.

How does the context affect the best way to rephrase "define are"?

The best way to rephrase "define are" depends on the intended meaning. If you mean to establish a definition, use "define as". If you are describing characteristics, use "the defining characteristics "are"". For specifying attributes, "specify what they "are"" might be more suitable.