defining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are explaining the meaning or characteristics of something. Example: "Defining the key terms in your research paper is essential for clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is estimated that 70% of prisoners in France are Muslim, though no one really knows – French law forbids defining people by religion or ethnicity.

The Guardian

In Javid's letter, dated 12 March, the minister voiced his concern about the risk that the revived censorship proposal would be used "otherwise than intended, not least given the difficulty of defining extremism, and the consequent likelihood of the government being seen to be interfering with freedom of speech without sufficient justification".

The Guardian

The tone of pop music has lately shifted toward self-actualization, and the art that captured our imaginations in 2014 showed people doing what they want, defining themselves how they want, and breaking free of societal rigidity.

The Guardian - Music

But after 1997 he began defining those conditions in a way that counted against our membership.

The Guardian - Opinion

His big, defining choices are still ahead of him.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It was very important not to be trapped by that, because I knew the Tories thought it: 'He's a leftwinger and it'll be full of leftwing stuff.' But it was too important to have a narrowness defining it.

The Guardian - Film

But right now, the company is defining itself in opposition to Spotify and other streaming music services.

The Guardian - Tech

The computing press started paying attention – Bartle wrote a cover feature on the game for Practical Computing, explaining the creation of MUD and defining his hopes for the future of the genre: What I would like to see - and it's a long, long way off - is some local or national network with good graphics, sound effects and a well designed set of worlds of varying degrees of difficulty.

The Guardian - Tech

We are discovering that there are many challenges to this model of operating – for example, defining the boundaries between council and community responsibilities, volunteers feeling strong-armed into helping out but struggling with long-term commitment, reduced adult provision threatening some community engagement etc.

The Guardian - Books

For the past century all of Scotland's political parties have played the game – to varying degrees – of defining Scotland against Westminster, each of them claiming to "stand up" for distinct Scottish characteristics and interests.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

At times all of the top-five batsmen, with the exception of the unfortunate Jonathan Trott, have batted well enough, and certainly confidently against Johnson at least, without going on to make match-defining scores.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defining", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being defined and why it is significant. For example, "Defining the project scope is essential for success" provides clarity and purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "defining" in vague contexts where the act of defining is not specific or impactful. For instance, instead of saying "This is a defining moment", provide concrete details about what makes the moment significant.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "defining" is that of a present participle of the verb 'define', often used in continuous verb tenses or as an adjective. As Ludwig AI explains, it signifies the action of clarifying or establishing the boundaries or meaning of something. Examples show its use in contexts ranging from political discourse to artistic expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "defining" functions as the present participle of 'define', used to clarify meaning or delineate boundaries across diverse contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, with frequent applications found in news, formal business, and scientific domains. When using "defining", be specific and avoid vagueness. Semantically related alternatives include "determining", "identifying", and "specifying", offering nuanced ways to express similar concepts. Understanding these nuances enhances precision in writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determining

Focuses on the act of finding out or establishing something definitively.

identifying

Emphasizes the process of recognizing or establishing what something is.

specifying

Highlights the act of stating something explicitly and in detail.

characterizing

Focuses on describing the distinctive features or qualities of something.

outlining

Emphasizes providing a summary or a general plan.

establishing

Focuses on setting up or creating something in a firm or permanent way.

delimiting

Emphasizes setting or marking the boundaries of something.

clarifying

Focuses on making something clearer or easier to understand.

interpreting

Highlights the process of explaining the meaning of something.

construing

Focuses on understanding or explaining the meaning of something in a particular way.

FAQs

How to use "defining" in a sentence?

You can use "defining" to describe the act of specifying the meaning of something, such as, "defining the terms of a contract" or "defining the problem before attempting to solve it."

What can I say instead of "defining"?

You can use alternatives like "determining", "identifying", or "specifying" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "defining a term" or "definition of a term"?

"Defining a term" is a verb phrase that describes the action of providing a definition. "Definition of a term" is a noun phrase referring to the actual definition itself. Both are correct but used in different contexts.

What's the difference between "defining" and "describing"?

"Defining" focuses on establishing the precise meaning or characteristics of something, while "describing" provides a more general account of its features or attributes. Defining is more about precision, while describing is about providing details.