defining values

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defining values" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the principles or beliefs that shape an individual's or organization's identity. For example, "The company is focused on defining values that promote sustainability and inclusivity." Alternative expressions include "establishing values" and "articulating values."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"Defining values is absolutely not about being fluffy," she said.

The Guardian

After all, these are the union's defining values.

The New York Times

"When you talk Atleti's defining values, the recurring words are passion, authenticity, realness.

The Guardian - Sport

He charged the members with defining values in psychological and emotional terms.

Harvard Business Review

Americans of all backgrounds, the political pollster Cornell Belcher argues, share certain nationally defining values: freedom, fairness, opportunity, equality.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its members have completed what is possibly the hardest part of creating such a community: reaching consensus on defining values.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

It is the defining value in a democracy; there are no other freedoms without it.

The Guardian - Opinion

I attended Lise Soskolne's session on "Defining Value, Labor and the Arts".

University of California, Berkeley

And in a neoliberal age, can morality ever displace money as the primary means of defining value?

Columbia University

Defining Value of Cancer Therapeutics-A Health System PerspeCancer Therapeutics-A

Duke University

That is, if the defining value of the Aesthetic is beauty, the defining value of the Practical is usefulness.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defining values", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to the process of defining or the values themselves as an outcome. For example, "The process of defining values is crucial" versus "These are our defining values."

Common error

Avoid using "defining values" when you simply mean that someone possesses or embodies certain values. Instead of saying "He is defining values," say "He embodies strong values" or "He lives by these values".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defining values" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun modifier. It describes the act of specifying or determining the values that are important or characteristic of something. Ludwig AI validates its widespread applicability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "defining values" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that refers to the process of establishing or clarifying important principles. As Ludwig confirms, it appears frequently across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, it's important to distinguish between the act of defining (clarifying or specifying) and the resulting defined values (the established principles themselves). Related phrases like "establishing values", "identifying values", and "articulating values" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Therefore, understanding the nuances and context is important when using or interpreting "defining values".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establishing values

Focuses on the act of setting up or creating values.

identifying values

Emphasizes the discovery or recognition of existing values.

determining values

Highlights the process of deciding or ascertaining which values are important.

articulating values

Stresses the expression and communication of values.

clarifying values

Focuses on making values clearer and more understandable.

setting values

Similar to establishing, but can also imply a ranking or prioritization.

establishing principles

Using a synonym that means the same thing, but is a more formal word.

creating a value system

Focuses on creating an interconnected framework of values.

developing core beliefs

Shifts focus to the underlying beliefs that drive values.

outlining moral compass

Rephrases the concept in terms of ethical guidance.

FAQs

How do you use "defining values" in a sentence?

You can use "defining values" to describe the act of establishing important principles, as in, "The team spent a month defining values for their new project." Alternatively, it can refer to values that are characteristic of something, as in, "Honesty and integrity are defining values of our organization."

What's the difference between "defining values" and "establishing values"?

"Defining values" emphasizes the clarification or specification of values, while "establishing values" focuses on setting up or creating them. The difference is subtle; "defining" clarifies existing, perhaps abstract, values, while "establishing" creates concrete, formalized values.

What are some phrases similar to "defining values"?

Alternatives include "identifying values", "determining values", and "articulating values". Each carries a slightly different nuance, emphasizing recognition, decision, or expression, respectively.

Is it better to say "defining values" or "defined values"?

The choice depends on the context. "Defining values" refers to the process of clarifying values. "Defined values" refers to the result of that process—the specific, established values themselves. For example: "Defining values is a crucial step" versus "Our defined values guide our actions."