described that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "described that" is not correct and typically not used in written English.
It is generally used incorrectly as "that" is unnecessary and does not fit well with "described." Example: "She described the situation in detail."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

In 1996, Mr. Gore described that event as "community outreach".

The New York Times

Revis described that month as a whirlwind.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Lippert described that goal another way.

The New York Times

Mr. Safir described that suggestion as nonsense.

The New York Times

Fara and Shaiba described that crackdown directly.

The Guardian - Music

He described that lyric as "God given".

The Guardian

Commentators have described that excursion as insensitive.

The Guardian

It was not described that way by the administration.

The Guardian

Not that it's described that way, of course.

The New York Times

Mr Galloway described that decision as a little bit galling.

The Guardian

No, I've never heard her described that way either.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "described that" in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "stated that" or "explained that" for clearer and more grammatically correct sentences.

Common error

The word "that" is often redundant after "described." Instead of "described that", simply use "described" followed by the object being described. For example: "She described the landscape" is more concise and correct than "She described that landscape".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "described that" functions as a verb phrase where "described" is the main verb. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to the unnecessary use of "that".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "described that" is frequently encountered in various contexts, as indicated by Ludwig. However, Ludwig AI highlights that it is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to the superfluous use of "that". Therefore, it is advisable to opt for more concise and grammatically sound alternatives such as "stated that" or "explained that". While "described that" appears across news, science, and other domains, its incorrect usage reduces its suitability for formal and professional communication. By choosing more appropriate phrasing, writers can enhance clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stated that

Replaces "described that" with a more direct and commonly accepted term for conveying information.

explained that

Suggests a more detailed and comprehensive account than simply describing.

indicated that

Implies a less explicit form of communication, hinting at something rather than stating it directly.

reported that

Conveys information received from a source, often used in journalistic contexts.

mentioned that

Suggests a brief or casual reference to something.

noted that

Highlights a specific detail or observation.

related that

Implies the telling of a story or account.

recounted that

Focuses on the act of narrating events from the past.

expressed that

Emphasizes the communication of feelings or opinions.

detailed that

Suggests an elaborate and thorough description.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "described" in a sentence?

The word "described" should be followed directly by the object or subject it refers to, without the unnecessary addition of "that". For example, "He described the painting" is grammatically sound.

Is "described that" grammatically correct?

No, "described that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use alternatives like "stated that" or "explained that".

What can I say instead of "described that"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "stated that", "explained that", or "mentioned that".

Why is "described that" considered incorrect?

The word "that" is often redundant after "described", making the sentence unnecessarily wordy. Removing "that" improves clarity and adheres to standard grammatical conventions.