describe about

USAGE SUMMARY

'describe about' is not correct and usable in written English.
You should use the phrase 'describe' instead. For example, "Please describe the appearance of the chair."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"For the viruses, we describe about 5,000 virus communities - only 39 of these were previously known.

BBC

There's nothing Millet won't describe about the mechanics of sex.

The Guardian - Books

"Now, I know that he will have all sorts of excuses, and he'll have all sorts of ideas he'll describe about how he'll make things better," Mr. Romney said.

The New York Times

Since Sept. 11, the words "terrorism expert" have been used to describe about three dozen academics, diplomats, former military officers and intelligence officers who have appeared on television news programs or been quoted in print.

The New York Times

This seems like a trite point to make, but all too often we tend to ignore what children describe about their lives, and indeed until recently actively preferred them to be "seen and not heard".

The Guardian - Opinion

When trying to study an experience or behaviour, cognitive scientists usually combine subjective reports, what people describe about their experience, with behavioural experiments, to see what effect a particular state has on how people reason, act or remember.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Worldwide, about 2,500 species of mayflies have been described, about 700 of them from North America north of Mexico.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Laibson built his mostly on the strength of an "anomaly" that he had described about people and money.

The New York Times

It is clear that Mr. Currie knows firsthand much of what he describes about a parent's demise.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Rumsfeld and Mr. Gonzales have described about a dozen of the detainees as senior operatives of Al Qaeda.

The New York Times

In just over 200 years, we have described about a quarter of the estimated half a million or so species.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "describe" without the addition of "about". For example, use "describe the process" instead of "describe about the process".

Common error

The word "describe" already encompasses the concept of providing information about something. Adding "about" after "describe" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "describe about" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is simply "describe". Ludwig AI indicates that this usage is not acceptable in written English. The verb "describe" already includes the prepositional meaning of "about".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "describe about" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. The correct usage is simply "describe". As Ludwig AI confirms, using "describe about" is not standard English. The verb "describe" inherently includes the meaning of providing information about something, making the addition of "about" redundant and erroneous. To improve your writing, always use "describe" followed directly by the subject you are detailing. For instance, use "describe the process" instead of "describe about the process". This will ensure clarity and grammatical correctness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain

Centers on making something understandable.

give an account of

Focuses on providing a detailed explanation or narrative.

detail

Highlights the act of specifying information precisely.

report on

Highlights conveying factual information, often in a structured format.

lay out

Emphasizes structuring information in a clear and organized manner.

set forth

Implies a formal and systematic presentation of information.

narrate

Focuses on telling a story or recounting events.

outline

Stresses providing a summary or overview.

recount

Focuses on narrating events from memory or experience.

portray

Emphasizes depicting or representing something visually or verbally.

FAQs

How to properly use the word "describe" in a sentence?

Use "describe" followed directly by the subject you are detailing, such as "describe the scene" or "describe the character". Avoid adding "about" after "describe".

What's the difference between "describe" and "talk about"?

"Describe" implies providing a detailed account of something's features or characteristics, while "talk about" is a more general phrase referring to discussing a topic.

What can I say instead of "describe about"?

Simply use "describe". It already includes the meaning of "give information about". For example, say "describe the situation" instead of "describe about the situation".

Is it ever correct to use "about" after "describe"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect to use "about" directly after "describe". The word "describe" already implies providing details about a subject.