describing it as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "describing it as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to introduce how someone is characterizing something in the form of a quote or phrase. For example: She described the painting as "full of emotion and charm".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have turned down the latest government pay offer, describing it as insulting.

BBC

You're describing it as a placebo effect.

Harvard Business Review

Leveson went further, describing it as "fluff".

The Guardian

Lutz recounts one, describing it as "bloodlust hysteria".

The Guardian

Not that the company is describing it as a sequel.

The Guardian - Tech

Avon immediately slapped down Coty's approach, describing it as "opportunistic".

The Economist

Champ was encouraged by Monday's development, describing it as significant.

The Guardian

describing it as the "bare minimum" TalkTalk could do.

The Guardian

No, says, Jobs, describing it as the third stage.

The Guardian

Kewin welcomed Labour's spending pledge, describing it as a lifeline.

The Guardian

I have been describing it as a cookbook for learning disguised as a cookbook for food.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "describing it as" with strong verbs for impactful writing. Instead of 'He was describing it as nice,' consider 'He lauded it as groundbreaking.'

Common error

Avoid using "describing it as" when you are actually paraphrasing or summarizing. This phrase implies a direct quote or very close restatement of the original words.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "describing it as" serves as a transitive verb phrase introducing a characterization or assessment made by someone. It connects a subject (the one describing) with a direct object (the thing being described) and a complement (the description itself), as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "describing it as" is a versatile phrase used to introduce someone's characterization of a subject, confirmed as grammatically correct and highly prevalent by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academia contexts, it serves to attribute opinions and assessments. While generally neutral, writers should ensure proper attribution and avoid misrepresenting original sources. Alternatives such as "characterizing it as" and "portraying it as" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. Remember to maintain tense consistency and avoid using it for simple paraphrasing. The phrase is deemed "Very common", making it relevant across diverse writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

characterizing it as

Emphasizes the act of defining or classifying something.

portraying it as

Focuses on the depiction or representation of something.

defining it as

Highlights the act of giving a precise meaning or explanation.

labeling it as

Implies assigning a specific category or name to something.

referring to it as

Suggests using a specific term or phrase when mentioning something.

terming it as

Implies the use of a specific term or designation.

deeming it as

Highlights the act of considering or judging something to be a certain way.

considering it to be

Focuses on a thoughtful evaluation or opinion.

viewing it as

Emphasizes a particular perspective or interpretation.

interpreting it as

Highlights the act of understanding or explaining the meaning of something.

FAQs

How do I use "describing it as" in a sentence?

Use "describing it as" to introduce a direct quote or a close paraphrase of someone's characterization of something. For example, "The critic reviewed the movie, "describing it as" a 'cinematic masterpiece'.

What are some alternatives to "describing it as"?

Alternatives include "characterizing it as", "portraying it as", or "defining it as depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey".

Is it better to use "describing it as" or "described it as"?

The choice depends on the tense of your sentence. Use "describing it as" for present or continuous tenses, and "described it as" for past tenses. For example: "He is "describing it as" innovative," versus "He "described it as" innovative."

What's the difference between "describing it as" and "considering it as"?

"Describing it as" implies conveying someone's explicit words or a close representation thereof. "Considering it as" /s/considering+it+as suggests a personal assessment or opinion, which may not be directly quoted or attributed.