description of the thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "description of the thing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a detailed account or explanation of a specific object, concept, or situation. Example: "In the report, we included a thorough description of the thing to ensure clarity for all stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He wrote that restoration "means the most total destruction which a building can suffer: a destruction out of which no remnants can be gathered: a destruction accompanied with false description of the thing destroyed".

The New Yorker

218, 247 (1832) (Marshall, C. J.) ("The third section [of the 1793 Act] requires, as preliminary to a patent, a correct specification and description of the thing discovered. This is necessary in order to give the public, after the privilege shall expire, the advantage for which the privilege is allowed, and is the foundation of the power to issue the patent").

Harvard University

Separating the tool from a description of the thing itself is especially hard when we try to think about corners of the world hidden from our senses and then ask what is going on there.

Huffington Post

"Body Art" involves its fair share of Gothic drama, not to mention a hospital's ghoulish curio collection -- which rivals, in its grotesquerie, Byatt's description of the Thing.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Fabrics and textiles and rubbers is a really good description of the things we are looking at," he says.

The Guardian

The unrelenting electronics produced by PF Project are accompanied by Ewan McGregor's almost spiteful delivery of the description of the things you can aspire to with an ordinary lifestyle.

The Guardian - Music

But in general, you'll want a dated receipt from the recipient organization, an itemized description of the things you donated and an explanation of how you arrived at the fair market value for each one of them.

The New York Times

In effect, the aim of the philosopher is to give the broadest possible description of the things themselves, so as to show how we must understand them and how we ought to value them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The doctors who were the strongest proponents of the HPV vaccine had two things in common: They had a direct, presumptive tone about the vaccines (i.e. "Your child is due for the shots") as opposed to a participatory tone, and they rattled off a thorough description of the things the vaccine prevents (cervical cancers, other cancers and genital warts).

Huffington Post

He also gave one of the more memorable descriptions of the thing clients seemed to want when they asked for his fancy visuals, namely: "Sexy bullshit".

The Guardian

What really gets my attention is a concise description of why the thing you are most passionate about matters to the rest of us.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs than "is" or "are" to make your descriptions more vivid and engaging. For example, instead of "the description is accurate", use "the description accurately portrays".

Common error

Avoid using "description of the thing" when a more specific term can be used. Vague language weakens your writing. For example, instead of "description of the thing", try "product specification", "historical account", or "scientific analysis" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "description of the thing" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It generally refers to a detailed account or explanation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Science

14%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "description of the thing" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to a detailed account or explanation of an item or subject. As per Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English. While versatile, more specific alternatives often provide greater clarity. Its frequency is common, and it appears across news, academic, and encyclopedia sources. When employing this phrase, ensure that the 'thing' is well-defined, and consider whether a more precise term would enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explanation of the item

Replaces "description" with "explanation" and "thing" with "item", emphasizing clarity.

portrayal of the object

Substitutes "description" with "portrayal" and "thing" with "object", highlighting representation.

account of the matter

Focus shifts from a generic 'thing' to a specific 'matter'.

characterization of the subject

Replaces "description" with "characterization" and "thing" with "subject", emphasizing defining traits.

representation of the concept

Changes "description" to "representation" and "thing" to "concept", focusing on abstract depiction.

outline of the situation

Replaces "description" with "outline" and "thing" with "situation", emphasizing a summary or overview.

depiction of the phenomenon

Substitutes "description" with "depiction" and "thing" with "phenomenon", highlighting visual or artistic representation.

analysis of the topic

Replaces "description" with "analysis" and "thing" with "topic", emphasizing a detailed examination.

summary of the event

Changes "description" to "summary" and "thing" to "event", focusing on a concise overview.

report on the issue

Replaces "description" with "report" and "thing" with "issue", emphasizing a formal account.

FAQs

How can I use "description of the thing" in a sentence?

You can use "description of the thing" to refer to a detailed explanation or account of a particular item or subject. For example, "The patent application requires a precise description of the thing being invented."

What are some alternatives to "description of the thing"?

Depending on the context, you could use "explanation of the item", "account of the matter", or "portrayal of the object".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "description of the thing"?

It's appropriate when you need a general phrase to refer to the detailed account of something, but consider using a more specific phrase if possible to enhance clarity.

What makes "description of the thing" different from "characterization of the subject"?

"Description of the thing" is a more general term, while "characterization of the subject" implies focusing on the defining traits or qualities of a particular subject or person.