defined it with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defined it with" is not standard in written English and may lead to confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you are explaining how something was defined using a specific method or criteria, but it is better to use more conventional phrasing. Example: "The researcher defined the concept with a series of examples to clarify its meaning."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It's evident that the space station has defined it, with its functional post-60s architecture, and little indication of its previous life as a small village of descendants of runaway slaves.

The Guardian - Travel

Attracted to its spontaneity, he practiced it throughout his career and defined it with inventiveness and flair.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

But in recent weeks, the march's organizers have defined it with a progressively liberal agenda and signed on groups like Planned Parenthood as co-sponsors.

The Washington Post

The French style was immediately evident in "The Nutcracker". When she raised a perfectly pointed foot, she defined it with clarity for all to see.

The New York Times - Arts

Savage emphasises the discoveries of the American social psychologist G Stanley Hall, who coined the term "adolescence" in 1898 and defined it with perceptive flexibility as "a period of ten years from twelve [or] fourteen to twenty-one or twenty-five".

The Guardian - Books

Andrew McAfee coined the term Enterprise 2.0 and defined it with his SLATES framework (Search, Links, Authoring, Tags, Extensions, Signals).

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

When a student questions Sun on the word's meaning she defines it with enthusiasm: "Thespian!

The New Yorker

This chapter details the international standards and codes of practice that are relevant to surface integrity and methods for defining it with respect to engineering drawings.

Manufacturing Surface Technology Surface Integrity & Functional Performance

(The Persuasion Problem) 3) Even if we did agree to grant "health" primacy in any discussion of medicine, it is difficult or impossible to define it with rigor.

The New York Times

He defines it — with all the flair we've come to expect from that journal — as a violation of the "notification norms" that "constrain the behavior of nodes in social networks".

The New York Times - Science

(The Persuasion Problem) 3) Even if we did agree to grant "well-being" primacy in any discussion of morality, it is difficult or impossible to define it with rigor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defined it with", ensure the 'with' specifies a concrete method, attribute, or characteristic used in the definition. If the 'with' feels vague, consider rephrasing for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "defined it with" excessively in academic or professional contexts. Over-reliance can make your writing sound repetitive or less precise. Instead, vary your language by using alternatives such as "characterized it by" or "described it using".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defined it with" functions as a verbal phrase used to indicate the method or characteristic used to clarify or specify something. Ludwig examples show its use in describing how terms are clarified using specific attributes. However, Ludwig AI suggests that it is not the most elegant wording.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "defined it with" is used to indicate that a definition is clarified through specific means or attributes. While acceptable, it's not considered the most elegant phrasing and might benefit from alternatives like "described it using" or "characterized it by", especially in formal writing. As noted by Ludwig AI, while grammatically sound, a more direct or precise phrasing often improves clarity. The expression appears across various contexts including news, science and academic writing, but is not overwhelmingly common. In short, "defined it with" isn't wrong, but careful consideration should be given to the specific context and whether a more refined alternative would better serve your writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

described it using

This alternative emphasizes the act of portraying something using specific language or details, broadening the scope from strict definition.

clarified it by

This focuses on making something easier to understand, removing ambiguity or confusion.

characterized it by

This alternative focuses on highlighting the distinguishing attributes or features of something, shifting the emphasis from definition to specific traits.

specified it by

This emphasizes making something definite and particular, focusing on precision and detail.

explained it through

This suggests a clarification or understanding achieved via a particular method or perspective, altering the focus to the explanatory process.

illustrated it with

The focus changes to providing examples or visual aids to make something clearer, rather than a formal definition.

elucidated it via

This alternative refers to making something clearer or easier to understand, often implying a deeper explanation.

identified it through

This suggests recognizing or distinguishing something based on certain criteria or methods, shifting the focus to recognition.

portrayed it with

This emphasizes depicting something in a particular way, often highlighting specific aspects or qualities.

delimited it with

This alternative emphasizes setting precise limits or boundaries around a concept or entity, focusing on restriction and specification.

FAQs

What does "defined it with" mean?

"Defined it with" means that something has been clarified or specified by using particular characteristics, methods, or attributes. It indicates the means by which the definition was established.

Is "defined it with" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "defined it with" can sound awkward in certain contexts. It is acceptable but often more precise alternatives exist, such as "described it using" or "characterized it by".

How can I use "defined it with" in a sentence?

You can use "defined it with" to show how something is clarified. For example, "The author defined the term with several examples" or "The scientist defined the phenomenon with mathematical equations."

What are some alternatives to "defined it with"?

Alternatives include "explained it through", "illustrated it with", "specified it by", or "delimited it with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.