described it to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "described it to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about someone's portrayal, interpretation, or opinion of something. For example, "The author described the painting to be the most stunning work of art he had ever seen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Hughes also began to make notes for "a book about sex," as he described it, to be called "Sex Silly Season".

The New Yorker

Allmusic called it "fantastic", and JamBase described it to be "a tasteful string dinner" and stated that "this is only the beginning of great things to come".

Wikipedia

As such, the view taken by Lord Browne-Wilkinson cannot be as cleanly applied as he had described it to be.

Wikipedia

PopMatters said that the album was "hardly the stuff of mountain music", and Village Voice described it to be "much sleeker, sexier, and more carefully assembled than work by the competition".

Wikipedia

Another 10% described it to be appropriate.

BMC Women's Health

Hereby they described it to be an ethical issue - especially within the first session.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Most of the men I described it to were unconvinced, but every convict who had come down from a max participated.

Vice

"Words can't describe it, to be honest," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

In tests, using the GIF Maker is as easy as Tumblr describes it to be.

TechCrunch

The words just sort of come to me, the closest thing I can describe it to is channeling.

Vice

His "most notable case," as he described it to Van Susteren, was called Wooden Nickel, and it began in 2002.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "described it to be" when you want to convey how someone has portrayed or characterized something, especially emphasizing their interpretation or understanding of it. For instance, "The witness described it to be a chaotic scene."

Common error

Avoid using "described it as being" when "described it as" is sufficient. The addition of "being" can sometimes be redundant and weaken the sentence's clarity. For example, prefer "He described it as difficult" over "He described it as being difficult".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "described it to be" functions as a reporting verb construction. It indicates how someone has characterized or portrayed something. It is used to relay an interpretation or assessment, as evidenced by Ludwig AI's assessment and example sentences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "described it to be" functions to convey how someone has characterized or portrayed something. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct, though not as common as other alternatives. It appears in neutral to formal contexts, including news, science, and wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects someone's interpretation and avoid redundancy by considering more concise alternatives like "described it as" when appropriate. Ludwig's analysis suggests that while correct, it’s essential to use this phrase judiciously to maintain clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depicted it as being

Adds 'being' for emphasis but essentially conveys the same meaning of portrayal.

termed it as being

Replaces 'described' with 'termed', focusing on the specific name or label given.

portrayed it as

Focuses on the act of depiction or representation, altering the sentence structure.

characterized it as

Emphasizes the identification of key traits or qualities, using a different verb with similar meaning.

interpreted it as being

Focuses on understanding and explaining the meaning of something, using 'interpreted' instead of 'described'.

represented it as

Highlights the act of showing or presenting something in a particular way.

presented it as

Highlights the manner in which something is shown or offered for consideration, substituting 'described' with 'presented'.

viewed it as being

Emphasizes a personal perspective or opinion, changing the verb for a slightly different nuance.

defined it as

Shifts the focus to providing a clear and precise explanation of something.

expressed it to be

Replaces 'described' with 'expressed', highlighting the communication of an opinion.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "described it to be"?

You can use alternatives such as "portrayed it as", "characterized it as", or "defined it as" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "described it to be"?

Yes, the phrase "described it to be" is grammatically correct and can be used to express how someone characterized something, although it's less common than other alternatives.

When is it appropriate to use "described it to be" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize someone's interpretation or specific characterization of something. For example, "The expert described it to be a significant breakthrough".

What's the difference between "described it to be" and "described it as"?

While both phrases are similar, "described it to be" emphasizes the act of interpreting or characterizing, whereas "described it as" is a more general way of saying how something was portrayed. Often, "described it as" is more concise and preferred.