described to

USAGE SUMMARY

"described to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when referring to a description someone has been given of something. Example: His father described the river to him as the most beautiful place he'd ever seen.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Bilateral tube ligation was one contraceptive measure described to patients.

The Guardian

"Kaleidoscopic" is how it is described to me.

The Guardian - Arts

The program was one of several she described to them.

The New York Times

Many lncRNAs are described to influence mRNA generation and expression8.

Nature

Do you?! (Laughs) That's how it was described to me.

The Guardian - Music

Snowden has described to us what armour still works.

The Guardian - Tech

But Lowell smiled when the scene was described to him.

The New York Times - Sports

Those plans were described to Mr. Obama last month.

The New York Times

But those interests are not described to NBC's viewers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is hard to describe to you".

Independent

She described ingredients to them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "described to", ensure the context clearly indicates who provided the description and who received it to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The process was described to the team by the project lead."

Common error

Avoid using "described to" in a way that obscures who is doing the describing. For example, instead of "It was described to me", specify who provided the description: "The doctor described it to me."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "described to" functions as a prepositional phrase often used in the passive voice to indicate that someone has received a description. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. The examples show it conveying information from one party to another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

58%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "described to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. Primarily found in News & Media and Science, it serves to indicate the conveyance of information from one party to another. While versatile, careful attention should be paid to maintaining clarity regarding who is providing and receiving the description. Alternatives such as "explained to" or "outlined to" may offer more precise meanings depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Explained to

This alternative emphasizes the act of making something understandable to someone.

Outlined to

This alternative refers to a structured overview being provided.

Detailed for

This alternative highlights the provision of extensive information.

Reported to

This alternative focuses on the act of conveying information in a factual or official manner.

Presented to

This alternative suggests a formal introduction or display of information.

Communicated to

This alternative emphasizes the transmission of information.

Related to

This alternative is shorter and focuses on connection or relevance rather than a detailed explanation.

Accounted for

This alternative implies a comprehensive explanation or justification, often in a formal setting.

Narrated to

This alternative implies storytelling or a personal account.

Related

This alternative is a direct and simple way to indicate a connection without necessarily involving a detailed description.

FAQs

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

You can use "described to" to indicate that someone received a description of something. For example, "The procedure was "described to" the patients in detail."

What are some alternatives to "described to"?

Alternatives to "described to" include "explained to", "detailed for", or "outlined to", depending on the context and the level of detail provided.

Is it better to say "described to me" or "described for me"?

"Described to me" is generally preferred because it clearly indicates the direction of the description. "Described for me" can imply a different purpose, such as describing something on someone's behalf.

What's the difference between "explained to" and "described to"?

While both phrases involve conveying information, "explained to" often implies making something understandable, while "described to" simply means providing a detailed account. You might "describe to" someone the appearance of a room, but you would "explain to" them the function of a machine.