describe for example

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "describe for example" is not correct in standard written English.
It can be used when you want to provide a specific instance or illustration of a broader point, but it should be rephrased for clarity. Example: "To clarify my point, I will describe, for example, the impact of climate change on polar bears."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The two describe, for example, how Greek companies are reluctant to invest in the social economy.

The Guardian

His ideas, set forth in a series of lectures in late 1915, were almost immediately applied to describe, for example, the unconventional orbit of the planet Mercury.

Princeton University

Quantitative results describe, for example, the net amount of nanoparticles that are targeted towards the chosen region due to the influence of a magnetic field.

Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials

Mathematically, it can also describe, for example, the movement of heat or electrical potential, by changing "y" from describing the deformation of a substance to the change in the energy of a system.

The Guardian

Downes coined the term edupunk late last month to describe, for example, the kind of IT professor who shuns the slick new versions of Blackboard in favour of what the pioneers of Web 2.0 technologies first did in their experiments.

The Guardian

The old records describe, for example, various types of ice from 'loose' to 'heavy' and using all the data I was able to map the ice edge, which has never been done before in any great detail because it melts and freezes every year and that is happening further and faster than ever before.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Darwinism is described, for example, as 'a dignified waltz to the melody of natural selection'.

The Guardian

The PDE describes for example the wave propagation of an acoustic wave in a localization system.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

The president wasn't describing, for example, the European reaction to his "axis of evil" formulation of Iraq, Iran and North Korea?

The New York Times

He describes, for example, the way contact or noncontact with humans shaped the difference between wolves and domesticated dogs.

The New York Times - Books

She describes, for example, her decision to leave her husband and two young children because her marriage had fallen flat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, it's better to rephrase "describe for example". Consider alternatives like "describe, for instance" or use "such as" after describing the subject.

Common error

Avoid directly using "describe for example" in formal writing. Instead, structure your sentence to naturally incorporate examples using phrases like "such as" or "for instance" after your initial description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "describe for example" functions as an attempt to introduce an example or illustration following a description. However, it is considered grammatically awkward. As Ludwig AI indicates, alternatives should be considered.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

31%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "describe for example" appears across various sources, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically "not correct". Although fairly common, particularly in science, news, and academic contexts, its usage should be approached with caution. For improved clarity and grammatical precision, consider alternatives like "describe such as" or "describe for instance". It is important to choose clarity and accuracy when crafting content, especially in formal writing, to avoid the use of the phrase "describe for example".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

describe such as

Replaces "for example" with "such as", offering a slightly more formal tone.

describe, for instance

Substitutes "for example" with "for instance", providing a similar illustrative function.

illustrate by describing

Focuses on the act of illustration through description, changing the sentence structure.

exemplify by describing

Highlights the exemplification aspect of the description.

detail, as an illustration

Emphasizes the detailing of something as an illustrative point.

outline, for instance

Uses "outline" instead of "describe" while maintaining the "for instance" to give an example.

depict, to illustrate

Replaces "describe" with "depict" and "for example" with "to illustrate".

present, as a case in point

Changes "describe" to "present" and "for example" to "as a case in point" for a more formal tone.

elucidate by describing

Uses "elucidate" instead of "describe" indicating a clarification through giving an example.

to give a descriptive example

Rephrases the entire phrase to emphasize the descriptive nature of the example.

FAQs

What is a better way to phrase "describe for example"?

Instead of "describe for example", consider using phrases like "describe such as", "describe, for instance", or restructuring your sentence for better clarity.

Is "describe for example" grammatically correct?

While commonly found, "describe for example" is considered grammatically questionable. It's often better to use more standard phrasing to maintain clarity and correctness.

How can I use examples effectively in my writing?

When providing examples, introduce them smoothly using phrases like "such as", "for instance", or "to illustrate". This ensures your writing remains clear and professional.

What's the difference between "describe for example" and "illustrate by describing"?

"Describe for example" is less grammatically sound. "Illustrate by describing" is a more intentional and grammatically correct way to present an example within a description.