describe to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "describe to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to provide a detailed account or explanation of something to another person. Example: "Please describe to me the process you followed to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is hard to describe to you".

Independent

And describe to me your own childish experience of monsters.

The Guardian - Film

Did Najamy describe to Jarecki the dishes that she served?

The New Yorker

He responded: "If somebody would describe to me a crisis.

The New York Times - Sports

I can't even describe to you – I was just like, I wish it would hurry up".

The Guardian

He called it "the closest thing I could describe to a credo".

The Guardian - Music

"What was difficult was trying to describe to your ceramist how white you wanted to go".

The New York Times

"It's hard to describe to someone who didn't grow up there or has never seen it.

The New York Times

There are days when, well, I can't even describe to you how bad it gets".

The New York Times

But none of this means that depression – which patients describe to us – doesn't exist.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

How to describe -- to capture -- a real Cumeezi moment?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when you "describe to" someone. Adjust the level of detail and complexity of your language based on their prior knowledge and understanding of the topic.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice excessively when using "describe to". Instead of saying "it was described to me", opt for "he described it to me" to create a more direct and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "describe to" functions as a verb phrase used to request or offer a detailed account or explanation of something. As noted by Ludwig AI, it’s a valid and frequently used construction in English. Examples from Ludwig show it used in questions like, "Can you "describe to" me what that was like?" and statements like, "Doctors would have to "describe to" her, in great detail, the foetus and its physical functions."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

22%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "describe to" is a grammatically sound and very common verb phrase used to request or provide detailed explanations. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across various contexts. It functions to elicit comprehensive accounts and is appropriate for neutral registers, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "describe to", prioritize providing specific details and consider your audience to ensure clarity and understanding. Keep in mind that alternative phrases like "explain to" or "detail to" may be more appropriate depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain to

Focuses on making something clear or understandable, rather than just providing a description.

detail to

Emphasizes providing thorough and specific information.

recount to

Highlights narrating or telling a story.

portray to

Suggests creating an image or representation through words.

illustrate to

Implies using examples or visual aids to clarify.

elucidate to

Indicates making something more clear and easier to understand.

clarify to

Focuses on removing confusion or ambiguity.

specify to

Emphasizes being precise and exact in the information given.

narrate to

Highlights the act of telling a story or giving an account.

communicate to

Broadly refers to conveying information, which may or may not be a detailed description.

FAQs

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

You can use "describe to" to ask someone to provide details about something. For example, "Can you "describe to" me what happened at the meeting?" or "She tried to "describe to" him the beauty of the sunset".

What are some alternatives to "describe to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "explain to", "detail to", or "illustrate to". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of conveying information.

When is it appropriate to use "describe to" in formal writing?

"Describe to" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. In formal writing, ensure the description is precise and well-organized. For example, "The report should "describe to" the board the current market conditions".

How does "describe to" differ from simply "describe"?

"Describe" generally means to give an account in words, while "describe to" specifies that the description is being given to someone. The addition of "to" indicates a recipient of the description, like "I will "describe" the painting" vs "I will "describe to" you the painting".