described how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "described how" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining or detailing a process, event, or situation in which someone has provided an account of how something occurred or was done. Example: "In her report, she described how the experiment was conducted and the results that were obtained."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Vasic described how the scheme worked.

The New Yorker

He described how the Foreign Office manipulated a willing media.

The Guardian - Opinion

Later the girl described how she was sexually abused.

The Guardian

Mr Culkin described how he had met the singer.

The Guardian

In his book, he described how the answer materialized.

The New York Times

Four girls described how they narrowly avoided being hit.

The Guardian

He once described how racism "makes him feel alone".

The Guardian - Opinion

He described how little he saw and heard.

The New York Times

She described how her colleagues had been stabbed.

The Guardian

He described how they had been shot or garrotted.

The Guardian - Opinion

Staff described how the first missiles struck the hospital.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "described how" when you want to convey that someone has given an account of a process, event, or situation. It's best used when you want to highlight the details and specifics provided in that account.

Common error

Avoid using "described how" when a more precise verb would better convey the nature of the communication. For example, use "explained how" if the focus is on understanding, or "illustrated how" if the focus is on providing examples.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "described how" functions as a reporting verb introducing an indirect statement. It indicates that someone has provided an account of a process, event, or situation. Ludwig shows numerous examples where individuals or sources detail how something occurred.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "described how" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to introduce an account of a process or event. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves primarily to convey detailed information from a particular perspective. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide variety of contexts, including News & Media and Science writing, although it is less common in academic or encyclopedic contexts. When using the phrase, it is essential to consider whether a more precise verb might better convey the nature of the account, such as "explained how" for clarity or "illustrated how" for example-driven explanations. With its widespread usage and clear grammatical function, "described how" remains a reliable and effective phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Explained how

Focuses more on making something understandable.

Detailed how

Emphasizes providing a comprehensive account with many specifics.

Recounted how

Suggests narrating a past event or experience.

Narrated how

Implies storytelling or giving an account of connected events.

Related how

Indicates telling or giving an account of something.

Explicated how

Involves a more formal and thorough explanation.

Illustrated how

Highlights using examples or visuals to clarify something.

Showed how

Focuses on demonstrating the way something is done or happens.

Expressed how

Indicates conveying thoughts or feelings about the manner in which something occurred.

Indicated how

Suggests pointing out or showing how something is done or achieved.

FAQs

How can I use "described how" in a sentence?

Use "described how" when you want to explain that someone provided an account of a process, event, or situation, detailing how something occurred or was done. For instance, "The witness "described how" the accident happened".

What are some alternatives to "described how"?

You can use alternatives such as "explained how", "detailed how", or "recounted how" depending on the context.

When is it more appropriate to use "explained how" instead of "described how"?

Use "explained how" when the focus is on making something understandable or clarifying a process. "Described how" is more general and focuses on providing an account, while "explained how" emphasizes clarity. For instance, you "describe how" a machine works, but you "explain how" to fix it.

Is "described how" formal or informal?

"Described how" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than the phrase itself. You can use it in news articles, academic papers, or casual conversations.