describing that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "describing that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of providing details or explanations about a specific subject or situation. Example: "The author spent several pages describing that the protagonist's journey was filled with challenges and growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Describing that competition, Columbu said, "This shows Arnold's cleverness.

The New Yorker

On the other end, Van Buren was describing that night.

The New Yorker

Kayakers have a way of describing that feeling, he says.

The New York Times - Travel

Frank Kermode, describing that coming together, uses the term "consonance".

The New Yorker

At one point, he broke into tears describing that bombing.

The New York Times

He made a point of describing that meeting as free of political maneuvering.

The New York Times

Then there's that nice narrative describing that logical series of steps.

The Guardian

"The song The Witch Dr. is as close as I can get to describing that feeling.

The Guardian - Music

Mercurial may come closest to describing that unique makeup that was Jack's personality.

The New York Times - Arts

He was, said Stoppard, 'a dark archangel', and that gets close to describing that aura.

The Guardian - Music

I was describing that thing of a mixed neighbourhood, of shared misery and shared joy.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "describing that", ensure the 'that' refers to a specific, previously mentioned subject or event to maintain clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "describing that" when the 'that' lacks a clear antecedent in the context. This can lead to ambiguity and confusion for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "describing that" typically functions as a gerund phrase introducing a subordinate clause. It connects a verb of speaking or writing to the content of the description, elaborating on a previously mentioned topic. As confirmed by Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

27%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "describing that" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed construction used to introduce descriptive clauses, elaborating on previously mentioned subjects. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and appears across various sources including news, science, and general writing, maintaining a neutral register suitable for many professional communication scenarios. When using the phrase, ensure there's a clear antecedent to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explaining that

Focuses more on clarifying or providing reasons, rather than simply depicting.

depicting that

Implies showing or representing something visually or verbally.

illustrating that

Implies providing examples or visuals to clarify the subject.

detailing that

Suggests a more comprehensive and thorough account of the subject.

outlining that

Implies giving a summary of the main points.

narrating that

Focuses on telling a story or recounting events.

portraying that

Suggests representing something in a particular way, often artistically.

representing that

Implies symbolizing or standing for something else.

characterizing that

Focuses on defining or highlighting the key qualities.

defining that

Suggests providing a precise and formal meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "describing that" in a sentence?

You can use "describing that" to introduce a clause that provides a description or details about a previously mentioned subject. For example, "The report, "describing that" the project was behind schedule, caused concern among the stakeholders."

What are some alternatives to "describing that"?

Alternatives to "describing that" include "explaining that", "detailing that", or "illustrating that" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to use "describing that" or another alternative?

"Describing that" is generally suitable for various contexts. More formal alternatives might include "detailing that" or "elucidating that", particularly in academic or professional writing. "Explaining that" is commonly used in neutral contexts.

What's the difference between "describing that" and "in that"?

"Describing that" introduces a description of something, while "in that" introduces a reason or condition. For example, "He was helpful, "describing that" process in detail." versus "The plan is effective, "in that" it addresses all key concerns."