designates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "designates" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of indicating, specifying, or naming something. Example: "The committee designates a representative to attend the conference on behalf of the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So, 'Aristotle' designates the same man in these various counterfactual circumstances; it is a rigid designator.

SEP

The story of 16-year-old-Pearl, struggling to keep going after the death of her mother who dies after giving birth to The Rat as Pearl designates her tiny, newborn sister.

The Guardian

Our familiar word forest designates not only a wooded region, but also an area of land set aside for hunting – as those who have walked through the treeless "forests" of Fisherfield and Corrour in Scotland will know.

The Guardian - Books

And this when the Heritage Foundation annually and bizarrely designates Hong Kong as one of the freest economies, and in many years the freest.Mr Long as alluded to Hong Kong's claim to be Asia's world city.

The Economist

The Obama administration officially removed Cuba from a list of rogue regimes that it designates as state-sponsors of terrorism (a list that now includes only Iran, Sudan and Syria).

The Economist

In theory Britain's home secretary designates an area in which police may use stop-and-search powers for up to 28 days.

The Economist

Among the countries the paper designates as "currency manipulators" are Japan and Singapore.

The Economist

Mr Obasanjo's new government, when it takes office, may be forced to look again not only at the land law, which designates all minerals as government property, but also the amount of revenue given back to the oil regions from central funds.

The Economist

As for the heating effects of radio waves, the increase in temperature of the skin caused by holding a phone close to the ear was found to be an order of magnitude less than that caused by direct sunlight.The Group 2B classification the IARC has now adopted for mobile phones designates them as "possible", rather than "probable" (Group 2A) or "proven" (Group 1) carcinogens.

The Economist

But Mr Khamngen remains worried.In this section The limits of despair Never say Dai Bones and shoals Reprints Related topics ChinaChina designates 55 official minorities, but only three Tibetans, Uighurs and Mongols get much attention abroad, usually over discord with their Han Chinese rulers and neighbours.

The Economist

Unfortunately, though, the plan simply designates information, telecoms, chemicals and materials as "strategic growth areas"—which sounds all too much like the past strategy of picking winners, the kiss of death for most entrepreneurs.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "designates", ensure that the subject clearly identifies or specifies something, avoiding ambiguity in your sentence.

Common error

While "designates" is a perfectly valid word, overuse can make your writing sound stilted in informal settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "indicates" or "shows" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "designates" primarily functions as a verb, indicating the act of specifying, identifying, or naming something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It's used to assign a particular role or meaning to a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "designates" is a grammatically sound verb used to specify, identify, or name something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread acceptance. While generally neutral to formal, it frequently appears in scientific, news, and business contexts. Use it when you want to explicitly associate a term, symbol, or person with a particular meaning or role. When a less formal tone is appropriate, consider alternatives like "indicates" or "refers to". Remember to ensure your sentences using "designates" are clear and avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Denotes

This term is formal and highlights the explicit meaning of a word or symbol.

Specifies

This term is more formal and emphasizes detailed or explicit identification.

Refers to

This term emphasizes the connection between a word or symbol and what it represents.

Defines

This term is used when establishing the precise meaning or scope of something.

Indicates

This term is broader and suggests pointing out or showing something, not necessarily with precision.

Identifies

This term focuses on recognizing or establishing what something is.

Labels

This term suggests assigning a name or category for classification.

Characterizes

This term focuses on describing the distinctive qualities or features of something.

Appoints

This term is used when assigning a role or responsibility to someone.

Marks

This term suggests highlighting or distinguishing something in a noticeable way.

FAQs

How can I use "designates" in a sentence?

Use "designates" to indicate that something specifies, identifies, or names something else. For example, "The map designates the location of the treasure."

What are some alternatives to the word "designates"?

You can use alternatives like "specifies", "indicates", or "identifies" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "designates to"?

No, it's generally incorrect to use "designates to". You would typically say "designates [something] as [something else]" or simply "designates [something]". For example, "The committee designates John as the team leader."

What's the difference between "designates" and "implies"?

"Designates" means to explicitly name or specify, while "implies" means to suggest something without directly stating it. "Designates" is direct, whereas "implies" is indirect.