defined about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defined about" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear in what context it is intended to be used, as "defined" typically requires a direct object or a specific context to clarify what is being defined. Example: "The term is defined about the scope of the project." (This is awkward and unclear.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Glycolysis, the breakdown of sugar, was originally defined about 1930 as the metabolism of sugar into lactate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Over the years, public attention to the development has not been intense, but residents have expressed worry about possible costs to the public that have not been well defined, about losing town control of commercial development that could take 10 to 15 years and about the threat to Fairfield's quiet, upscale, country ambience.

The New York Times

"There appears to be more of a story, and they're very defined about what they're investing in," said Laura Deer Moore, who sits on the board of a community bank and came across Mosaic because she wanted to invest her small nest egg "conscientiously," as she put it, and was having trouble finding ways to do that.

The New York Times

Conversely, internal external axial rotation is defined about the "floating" axis which does not have anatomical definition but can be geometrically deduced from the two others.

Chirurgie de la Main

With temperature tolerance bands of ±2 °C defined about the nominal temperatures, more than 72.5% of the microchannel length was located within the desired temperature bands.

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical

It was clear that there's a lot that still needs to be defined about process and the interaction between the different internet stakeholders in the UK.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Nick Clegg is not easy to draw because you'd be hard pushed to think of anything physically defining about him.

The Guardian - Arts

"What is defining about Sunny is that she chose her profession," says Bhatt, "there is no tragedy in her past.

The New York Times

Of the fifty "fancy words" on this year's list, I can comfortably define about two-thirds, making me once again thankful for the G.R.E.

The New Yorker

The objective for me is to find a language that tells the reader something hard to define about the texture of each character's consciousness.

The Guardian - Books

After adaptor trimming and size selection, about 70% of these reads were mapped to the EquCab2 horse genome for each sample, defining about 53998 to 97964 regions.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "defined about" in formal writing. Instead, use more grammatically correct alternatives such as "defined in relation to" or "defined with respect to".

Common error

The phrase "defined about" often incorrectly replaces phrases like "defined in terms of" or "defined with respect to". Ensure you use the correct preposition to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defined about" functions as a verb followed by a preposition, but this construction is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The verb "defined" typically requires a different preposition to create a valid phrase, as suggested by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "defined about" appears in various contexts, including scientific and news-related content, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI flags it as such. Correct alternatives like "defined in relation to" or "defined with respect to" offer greater clarity and are recommended for formal usage. Therefore, it's best to avoid "defined about" to maintain grammatical accuracy and ensure clear communication. Choosing the correct preposition enhances the precision and professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defined in relation to

This alternative specifies that the definition is considered in connection to something else.

defined with respect to

This implies the definition is made considering specific aspects or criteria.

defined concerning

This denotes that the definition is relevant to a particular topic or matter.

established regarding

This suggests a formal or official establishment of a definition related to a subject.

specified in terms of

This indicates the definition is given using particular conditions or language.

characterized by considering

This phrase implies the subject is described by taking something into account.

determined with regard to

This indicates the definition is decided or concluded after considering something.

understood in the context of

This suggests the definition is interpreted within a specific framework or situation.

described relative to

This indicates the definition is explained in comparison or connection to something else.

stipulated concerning

This indicates that the definition has been clearly required or specified with regards to a certain subject.

FAQs

What are some correct alternatives to "defined about"?

Better alternatives include "defined in relation to", "defined with respect to", or "defined in terms of". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "defined about" grammatically correct?

No, "defined about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The verb "define" usually requires a different preposition or a more direct construction.

How can I use "define" correctly in a sentence?

Use "define" with prepositions like "as", "by", "in terms of", or "with respect to". For example: "The term is defined as...", "Success is defined by..." or "The project scope is defined in terms of deliverables".

What's the difference between "defined in relation to" and "defined with respect to"?

"Defined in relation to" implies a connection or comparison between two things. "Defined with respect to" suggests considering specific aspects or criteria. Both are better options than "defined about".