do not describe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not describe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to refrain from providing details or explanations about a particular subject. Example: "In this section, please do not describe the process in detail; just provide a brief overview."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"So you do not describe what you see?

The New Yorker

Not true, say his friends, who also do not describe him as devastated about staying home.

The New York Times

People do not describe me as "emotionally flexible, patient and tolerant".

The New York Times

They do not describe the band being captured; they describe us.

The Guardian

But its court documents filed on Wednesday do not describe any representation for Inspector Cardona.

The New York Times

Do not describe the protection of our interests as if it was some Manichean struggle.

Independent

Models should be seen as metaphors that can enlighten but do not describe the world perfectly.

The Economist

But they do not describe objects.

SEP

These four models do not describe the observed behaviour of constructional steels satisfactorily.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

Core package and the package named "kdm" do not describe separate KDM models.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Unfortunately, authors of these papers do not describe the biodiesels they used in detail.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing others to avoid describing something, follow "do not describe" with a clear reason for the omission. This provides context and prevents confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "do not describe" without providing an alternative focus or instruction. Failing to do so can leave the audience without direction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not describe" functions as an imperative, instructing the audience to refrain from providing a description. Ludwig examples show its use in both academic and informal contexts. It directs focus away from descriptive elements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

28%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do not describe" is a grammatically sound and commonly used imperative for instructing others to refrain from providing descriptive details. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across a range of contexts, including science, news, and formal communication. When using this phrase, ensure you provide a clear alternative focus or reason for the omission to maintain clarity and direction. Alternatives like "refrain from describing" or "avoid describing" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refrain from describing

Emphasizes a deliberate act of holding back from providing a description.

avoid describing

Suggests a conscious effort to not include a description.

omit describing

Focuses on the exclusion of a description.

do not detail

Replaces "describe" with "detail", implying a lack of specific information.

do not elaborate on

Shifts the focus to avoiding further explanation or expansion.

do not go into detail about

Highlights the act of skipping over specific information.

do not specify

Emphasizes the lack of explicit information being provided.

do not explain

Focuses on the absence of explanation, rather than description.

skip the description of

Suggests a direct and intentional bypassing of descriptive elements.

leave undescribed

Highlights the state of something remaining without a description.

FAQs

How can I use "do not describe" in a sentence?

You can use "do not describe" to instruct someone to avoid giving details about something. For example, "In this section, "do not describe" the process in detail; just provide a brief overview."

What is a more formal way to say "do not describe"?

More formal alternatives include "refrain from describing" or "avoid describing".

When is it appropriate to use "do not describe"?

It's appropriate when you want to explicitly instruct someone to omit details or explanations, often to maintain brevity, focus on a different aspect, or avoid sensitive information.

What's the difference between "do not describe" and "do not explain"?

"Do not describe" focuses on omitting descriptive details, while "do not explain" focuses on omitting the reasons or processes behind something. "Do not describe" focuses on visual or sensory characteristics, while "do not explain" refers to reasons or steps.