gets characterized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gets characterized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing how something is defined or described in a particular way, often in a passive construction. Example: "In the study, the phenomenon gets characterized by its unique properties and behaviors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Regardless of what Trump may say and how he gets characterized, his focus is on the right things," he wrote.

The Guardian

Why is it that engines are so little talked about when they are the key element of what powers the racing car? A. What you find is that the engine gets characterized as a commodity.

The New York Times - Sports

In a difficult and controversial passage Timaeus proposes a solution:[15] In its own right it is (part of) a totally characterless subject that temporarily in its various parts gets characterized in various ways.

SEP

The above analogies suggest that the receptacle is a material substratum: as gold qua gold is the material substratum for the various geometrical configurations it is shaped into, the ointment base for the fragrances, or the impressionable stuff for the various impressions, so the receptacle serves as the "stuff" that gets characterized in various ways.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I do think sometimes the overseas guys get characterized unfairly," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We don't want to get characterized as on the side of unbelievers.

The New York Times

Standing up for the rights of black people as human beings and standing against police violence and police brutality makes you get characterized as being anti-police or it has you being characterized as cop killers, neither of which we are.

The New Yorker

A firm will get characterized as a 'bad firm.'" Fuller & Thaler tries to buy such stocks as they're starting to look better, before other investors pick up on them.

Forbes

Wait, so when did finding NOTHING get characterized as "breaking news"?

Huffington Post

Jordan Sinclair, communications manager at Tweed, wouldn't reveal the salaries of employees there for fear of getting characterized as "corporate pigs" and "f* $ing profiteers".

Vice

Personally, it infuriates me when moviegoers get characterized as lazy, incurious louts who just want purely escapist entertainment fed to them with a spoon.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gets characterized" when you want to emphasize the process of how something comes to be known or understood in a certain way. It's particularly effective when describing a shift in perception or understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "gets characterized" excessively, as too much passive voice can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Consider using active voice constructions where appropriate to create a more engaging and direct tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gets characterized" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject is receiving a specific description or attribute. Ludwig highlights its usability in describing how something is defined or comes to be understood.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gets characterized" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, though relatively rare in occurrence. As noted by Ludwig, it serves to describe the process by which something comes to be defined or perceived in a particular way. While it appears in both news and scientific contexts, writers should be mindful of overusing the passive voice. Alternatives such as "is portrayed as" or "is defined as" may offer more direct or nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is portrayed as

Focuses on the depiction of something, often in media or art.

is depicted as

Similar to "is portrayed as", but can also refer to visual representations.

is regarded as

Emphasizes the opinion or judgment of others.

is viewed as

Highlights the perspective from which something is seen.

is considered to be

Indicates a more formal or official assessment.

is defined as

Focuses on a formal or technical definition.

is labeled as

Emphasizes the use of a specific term or label.

is branded as

Suggests a marketing or promotional context.

is known as

Indicates widespread recognition or familiarity.

is styled as

Highlights a particular style or presentation.

FAQs

How can I use "gets characterized" in a sentence?

You can use "gets characterized" to describe how something is defined or perceived over time. For instance, "The political climate often "gets characterized" by its divisive rhetoric".

What are some alternatives to "gets characterized"?

Alternatives include "is portrayed as", "is defined as", or "is regarded as" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "characterize"?

While both active and passive voices are grammatically correct, the passive voice with "gets characterized" is useful when you want to emphasize the object being characterized rather than the actor doing the characterizing. Using the active voice with phrases like "portray" might make your writing more direct and concise.

What's the difference between "gets characterized" and "is characterized"?

"Gets characterized" implies a process of coming to be known or described in a certain way, often suggesting a change or evolution. "Is characterized", on the other hand, simply describes a current state or attribute without necessarily implying a change.