describing the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "describing the same" is not correct and lacks clarity in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something that is explaining or detailing the same subject or concept, but it needs additional context to be usable. Example: "The two reports are describing the same issue, but from different perspectives."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Are you describing the same conflict?

The New Yorker

Describing the same events.

The Guardian - Books

They are simply different ways of describing the same thing.

The New Yorker

"It was weird," he said, describing the same sensation he often felt in college.

The New York Times - Sports

"He's describing the same things other people are describing," he said.

The New York Times

You wouldn't know they were in the same family, describing the same events".

The New York Times

Therefore, his task was easier in the sense that he was describing the same world at an earlier stage.

The New Yorker

Below are passages, describing the same events, from her novel "Thicker Than Water" and her memoir "The Kiss".

The New York Times

They may not be mutually exclusive: that's to say that they might be different ways of describing the same phenomenon.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some teams came up with dozens of clever uses; others kept describing the same ideas in different words.

The New York Times - Magazine

They tested some of the same questions throughout, which is important because merely rewording a question – even when describing the same policy – can cause major differences in results.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "describing the same", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being described and by whom. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "describing the same" in overly complex sentences where its meaning becomes muddled. Simplify the sentence or rephrase to maintain clarity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "describing the same" typically functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun within a sentence. It indicates an action (describing) that relates to a shared subject or object. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase this in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "describing the same" is a commonly used gerund phrase that indicates multiple sources or accounts conveying similar information about a shared subject. While Ludwig AI points out potential clarity issues, its frequent appearance in reliable sources, particularly News & Media and Science, confirms its widespread acceptability. To ensure effective communication, use this phrase in contexts where the subject being described is unambiguous and the sentence structure remains clear. Alternative phrases such as "referring to the same" or "detailing the same" can be used to add nuance to the description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depicting the same

Replaces "describing" with "depicting", focusing on visual or representative aspects rather than purely verbal descriptions.

representing the same

Substitutes "describing" with "representing", emphasizing the act of symbolizing or standing in for the same thing.

referring to the same

Changes "describing" to "referring to", highlighting the act of mentioning or alluding to a shared subject.

detailing the same

Uses "detailing" instead of "describing", stressing a more comprehensive and elaborate explanation of the same subject.

explaining the same

Replaces "describing" with "explaining", focusing on making the same thing clear or understandable.

covering the same

Changes "describing" to "covering", emphasizing the scope or extent of information about the same topic.

addressing the same

Substitutes "describing" with "addressing", highlighting the act of dealing with or discussing the same matter.

outlining the same

Uses "outlining" instead of "describing", stressing a structured and summarized presentation of the same subject.

portraying the same

Replaces "describing" with "portraying", focusing on how something is depicted, especially in art or literature.

illustrating the same

Changes "describing" to "illustrating", emphasizing the use of examples or visuals to clarify the same concept.

FAQs

How can I use "describing the same" in a sentence?

You can use "describing the same" to indicate that multiple sources or accounts are conveying similar information. For example, "The witnesses were "describing the same" event, despite their different perspectives."

What's a good alternative to "describing the same"?

Alternatives include "referring to the same", "detailing the same", or "representing the same", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "describing the same" grammatically correct?

While Ludwig AI suggests it lacks some clarity, "describing the same" is commonly used and generally acceptable. Ensure clear context to avoid any ambiguity.

What's the difference between "describing the same" and "explaining the same"?

"Describing the same" focuses on providing similar details or accounts, while "explaining the same" emphasizes making the subject clear or understandable. They both imply a common subject, but the focus differs.