define from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "define from" is not standard in written English and may lead to confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you are specifying a source or basis for a definition, but it is not commonly used. Example: "To define from a historical perspective, we must consider the events that shaped the era."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Like with toric varieties, there are natural combinatorial invariants that one can define from a spherical variety, such as the irreducible summands which appear in the ring of regular functions.

University of California, Berkeley

In the face of these changes there is a need to define from an infection prevention and control perspective the basic physical requirements for facilities in which such surgical procedures may be carried out.

Journal of Hospital Infection

These results are particularly useful to quantify differences in energy absorption of the constituents of a laminated glass, as a tool to define, from the glazing design phase, the thermal and mechanical processing needed for each glazing component.

Solar Energy

How close the system to its equilibrium could define from the value of entropy change (ΔS).

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

Its volume can be interpreted as the largest space of decision problems one could define from the three dimensions.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Based on that, and our own internal assessment and competitive assessment, we are able to define from all the ideas, a portfolio of initiatives and solutions that become our roadmap.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Several of our country's presidents are native to Illinois (depending on how one defines "from").

Huffington Post

Regions defined from watershedding the composite image shown in d.

Nature

Six fish assemblages were thus defined from the MRT model.

Limnologica - Ecology and Management of Inland Waters

They had been defined from the very beginning".

The New York Times - Sports

The K.L. was defined from the beginning by its legal ambiguity.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and precision, replace "define from" with more standard phrases such as "define based on" or "define according to". This will improve readability and ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "define from" in an attempt to sound formal or sophisticated. Simpler phrasing often communicates the intended meaning more effectively and clearly. Always prioritize clarity over perceived complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "define from" functions as a verb phrase attempting to specify the basis or source for a definition. However, it is not considered standard English. As noted by Ludwig AI, there are clearer alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

29%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "define from" appears in various contexts, including science, news, and academia, it is generally considered non-standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, it's often clearer and more grammatically correct to use alternatives like "define based on" or "define according to". Though understandable, using a more conventional phrase enhances clarity and professionalism in writing. When defining terms, prioritizing precision ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

define based on

This alternative uses a more common and grammatically sound preposition to indicate the basis for the definition.

define according to

Similar to "based on", this clarifies that the definition aligns with a specific standard or viewpoint.

define in terms of

This option emphasizes that the definition uses specific aspects or characteristics.

derive a definition from

This uses "derive" to suggest that the definition is drawn or extracted from a source.

establish a definition based on

Uses "establish" and clearly indicates the basis for the definition.

formulate a definition from

Replaces 'define' with 'formulate', which may be appropriate for more complex definitions.

determine from

Emphasizes the process of figuring out a definition by looking at something.

extract the definition from

Suggests the definition is located within a specific source and is being taken out.

define with reference to

This indicates that the definition is made in relation to a specific context or source.

draw a definition from

Suggests the definition is created or inferred from certain information or sources.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "define from"?

You can use alternatives like "define based on", "define according to", or "define in terms of" depending on the context.

Is "define from" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "define from" is not considered standard English. It's better to use phrases like "define based on" or "derive a definition from" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

How can I use "define based on" in a sentence?

Instead of saying, "We define success from the amount of profit", try "We define based on the amount of profit".

What's the difference between "define from" and "define based on"?

"Define from" is less common and can sound awkward. "Define based on" is grammatically clearer and more widely accepted for specifying the criteria or foundation used for a definition.