defining it with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defining it with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to specify how something is being defined or described in relation to another concept or term. Example: "In this context, we are defining it with respect to its historical significance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

They're just not calling it as such, or defining it with the same subcategories.

TechCrunch

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

They learn by imaging the concept and then defining it with facts and information eg. Mastering and conceptualizing information regarding breast self-exam and mammography facts.

BMC Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 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

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

The New Yorker

(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

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

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

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

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "defining it with", ensure the 'it' is clearly referenced and the 'with' specifies the method, attribute, or characteristic used for defining. For example, "Define the problem with specific, measurable criteria."

Common error

Avoid using "defining it with" when the 'it' lacks a clear antecedent or the defining attribute is ambiguous. A sentence like "We are defining it with importance" is unclear; specify what 'it' is and what makes it important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defining it with" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the act of establishing the meaning of something by specifying particular criteria. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid. The "it" serves as a placeholder for the subject being defined, and "with" introduces the defining characteristic or method.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "defining it with" is grammatically correct and serves to specify the criteria used to establish the meaning of something. Ludwig AI validates its use. While relatively rare, its occurrences span across news, scientific, and business contexts. For clarity, ensure that the 'it' is clearly referenced and the 'with' specifies the defining characteristic. Alternatives like "characterizing it with" or "describing it through" can be considered for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

characterizing it with

Replaces 'defining' with 'characterizing', emphasizing a description of key traits.

describing it through

Focuses on the act of describing rather than explicitly defining.

identifying it by means of

Highlights the method used for identification, rather than a formal definition.

explaining it with

Shifts from defining to providing an explanation or rationale.

illustrating it using

Emphasizes the use of examples or illustrations to clarify meaning.

specifying it through

Highlights making something specific or explicit via a particular method.

elucidating it with

Implies making something clearer by using additional details or examples.

outlining it with

Focuses on presenting a structured overview or summary using certain elements.

interpreting it through

Changes the focus to understanding and explaining meaning using a particular lens.

contextualizing it within

Places emphasis on understanding the definition within a specific framework or situation.

FAQs

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

Use "defining it with" when you want to specify the criteria or attributes used to establish the meaning of something. For instance, "The author is defining success with metrics beyond financial gain".

What's a good alternative to "defining it with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "characterizing it with", "describing it through", or "identifying it by means of".

Is it always necessary to explicitly state what "it" refers to when using "defining it with"?

Yes, for clarity, it's essential to make sure the antecedent of "it" is clear. For example, instead of "We are defining it with new rules", say "We are defining the process with new rules".

Can "defining it with" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "defining it with" is suitable for formal writing as long as the definition is precise and the context is clear. However, consider stronger verbs if more directness is required.