describes well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "describes well" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something accurately conveys or represents a particular idea or concept. Example: "The author describes well the struggles faced by the characters in the novel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This describes well two of his finest novels, written more than three decades apart.

The Economist

What they apparently contested was songwriting credit, a common source of tension in bands, and one that Wareham describes well.

The New Yorker

He describes well the brutality of the "wall" that hits many runners a few miles out from the end of a marathon.

The Guardian - Books

sure, "Newark Jew" describes well enough someone who grew up, as I did, in the city's southwest corner, the Weequahic neighborhood, in the nineteen-thirties and forties.

The New Yorker

Taubman describes well how Castro was, in turn, enraged by the Soviet withdrawal, calling Khrushchev "son of a bitch... bastard... asshole.... no cojones [balls].... maricón [homosexual]." How did Khrushchev keep power?

The New Yorker

Hajdu's book describes well the bitter moment when Dylan, who had been mothered, adored, and promoted by Baez, cast her aside as he rejected protest songs for a more internal, hallucinatory vocabulary and, eventually, an electric beat.

The New Yorker

But he also describes well how the artist attunes himself to his subject: "I am like a cat, which walks up and down apparently without motive then turns around and around until it sits".

The Economist

Ethan Roeder describes well the value of data in political campaigns and why the campaign he helped run for President Obama did not take data that were not freely available ("I Am Not Big Brother," Op-Ed, Dec. 6).

The New York Times

This is a lofty goal, made all the more ambitious by the blunders of physicists on Wall Street in recent decades, blunders he describes well but with an extremely generous view.

The New York Times - Books

To such, we think, we may safely recommend Mr Kohl's book: he has travelled with his eyes and his ears open, and not only does he seem to have observed acutely, but he describes well what he has observed.

The Economist

As it happens, Martin, the judge who turned Morel down, went on to write a history of New Orleans, and he describes well what happened next: "On receiving Morel's communication, the ebullition of Jackson's anger was such, that reason appeared to have lost its control".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "describes well" with a specific detail or example to reinforce the accuracy of the portrayal. For example, "The author "describes well" the protagonist's inner turmoil, capturing their conflicting emotions through vivid imagery."

Common error

Avoid using "describes well" as a filler phrase. Instead, ensure the description is genuinely strong and insightful. A weak description can undermine the impact of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "describes well" functions primarily as a verb phrase, typically used to indicate that something effectively and accurately portrays or represents a particular subject or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct construction widely found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "describes well" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to indicate an accurate and effective portrayal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is common in both formal and informal settings, notably in scientific and news-related contexts. While straightforward in its meaning, it's important to ensure the description it refers to is genuinely strong and insightful to avoid undermining the phrase's impact. Alternatives like "accurately depicts" or "effectively portrays" can be used for variety, but "describes well" remains a reliable choice for commending clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accurately depicts

Focuses on the precision and correctness of the description.

effectively portrays

Highlights the impact and success of the description in conveying a certain image or idea.

aptly characterizes

Emphasizes the suitability and appropriateness of the description.

paints a vivid picture

Suggests a descriptive account that is clear, detailed, and easy to visualize.

offers a clear account

Focuses on the comprehensibility and lack of ambiguity in the description.

provides a good illustration

Emphasizes the descriptive quality of something as a clear example.

succinctly captures

Highlights the ability of the description to convey the main essence in a concise manner.

eloquently expresses

Emphasizes the fluency, beauty and effectiveness of the expression.

admirably explains

Showcases the admirable quality and clarity of the explanation.

thoroughly details

Focuses on the comprehensiveness and in-depth nature of the descriptive account.

FAQs

How can I use "describes well" in a sentence?

Use "describes well" to indicate that something provides an accurate or effective portrayal. For example, "The book "describes well" the challenges of immigrating to a new country."

What are some alternatives to "describes well"?

You can use alternatives like "accurately depicts", "effectively portrays", or "aptly characterizes depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "describes well" or "describes good"?

"Describes well" is the correct and grammatically sound choice. "Describes good" is not standard English.

What is the difference between "describes well" and "explains well"?

"Describes well" focuses on portraying something accurately, while "explains well" focuses on making something understandable. You might say a painting "describes well" a scene, but a teacher "explains well" a concept.