describe by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "describe by" is grammatically correct and is often used in written English.
It typically means to explain or provide details about something or someone. Here are some examples of how it could be used: 1. Please describe by using specific examples how the company has implemented its new sustainability policies. 2. Can you describe by giving a physical description of the suspect you saw last night? 3. The teacher asked the students to describe by using adjectives the character in the book they were reading. 4. The artist's paintings are often described by their use of vibrant colors and abstract shapes. 5. The therapist asked the patient to describe by recounting their childhood memories.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So wine experts have to describe by analogy.

The New York Times - Food

To beautiful and breath taking to describe by tweet.

Independent

So I stuck all the images, each one describe by bunch of pixels in rows in a matrix.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The soft ion-ion and carbon-ion interactions are describe by the Lennard-Jones (LJ) potential.

Electrochimica Acta

That would inform his later work, which he would often describe by invoking natural spaces such as forests and caves.

Encyclopedia Britannica

No people appear in the eerie de Chirico-like public spaces that Mr. Hellmich's paintings describe: by the end of the 20th century, utopia had been entirely privatized.

The New York Times

It could even exacerbate the instability it seeks to describe by undermining citizens' confidence in their country's ability to transform itself.

The Guardian

I don't think it's a spoiler to reveal that nothing much happens in "Adult," at least not anything you might describe by traditional standards as dramatic.

The New York Times

We're saying the probability of finding an electron at some distance from the nucleus in some very thin shell that we describe by d r.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We describe by sequence analysis the structure and domain organization of 20 Pfrom1 from the GenBank database.

Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Perhaps the idea of externalities could be extended from economics to philosophy, to describe by-products of the argumentative process for which other people are expected to pick up the tab.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "describe by", ensure that the method or characteristic you are using for description is clearly stated. For example, "describe by analogy" or "describe by its function."

Common error

Avoid using "describe by" without specifying what you are using to describe. A vague sentence like "The situation was described by authorities" lacks clarity. Instead, specify: "The situation was described by authorities as chaotic."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "describe by" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating the method, means, or characteristic used to provide a description. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatile application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "describe by" is a grammatically correct and versatile prepositional phrase used to specify the method or means of providing a description. Ludwig AI affirms its broad applicability across diverse fields, with a high frequency in scientific and news media contexts. The phrase is useful for adding clarity to explanations, ensuring the method of description is explicitly stated. For more impactful writing, remember to be specific and avoid vague usage. Related phrases such as "explain through" or "define in terms of" can offer nuanced alternatives, while resources like Ludwig can help refine your understanding of its usage in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain through

Focuses on clarification and understanding achieved through a method.

detail with

Highlights the addition of specific information.

characterize using

Emphasizes the use of certain traits or features to define something.

define in terms of

Implies a structured or formal explanation using specific criteria.

portray through

Suggests a depiction or representation using a particular medium or perspective.

illustrate by

Focuses on making something clear through examples or visuals.

elucidate via

Formal way to say "make clear by means of".

outline through

Focuses on giving the main features or structure of something using a specific method.

represent with

Highlights the use of specific elements or symbols to depict something.

specify by means of

Highlights that something should be expressed accurately.

FAQs

How can I use "describe by" in a sentence?

Use "describe by" to explain how something is characterized or explained. For example, "The wine experts describe by analogy because the vocabulary for subtle differences in smells and flavors is imprecise."

What are some alternatives to "describe by"?

You can use alternatives like "explain through", "define in terms of", or "characterize using" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "described by"?

Yes, "described by" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive voice construction. For example, "The method was described by Johnston et al."

What's the difference between "describe by" and "describe with"?

"Describe by" typically refers to the method or means of description, while "describe with" refers to the tools or features used. For instance, "describe by analogy" versus "describe with vivid language".