in defining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in defining" is correct and usable in English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the process of determining the exact meaning of something. For example: "In defining the word 'book', one must consider its history and uses in different contexts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Guerrero was vague in defining success.

The New York Times - Sports

One problem comes in defining antisemitism.

The Guardian

It is an experiment in defining minimal auto mobility.

The New York Times

Involve staff in defining what 'gender' means to them.

The Guardian

State judiciaries draw on the code in defining lawyers' responsibilities.

The New York Times

Abramowitz was liberal in defining a Jewish player.

The New York Times - Sports

Who can you leave out in defining it?

The Guardian

The problem is in defining what they mean.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the gap in defining news is vast, he said.

The New York Times

It's important in defining functionality, setting expectations and capturing mindshare.

TechCrunch

Lewis, therefore, in fact succeeds in defining theoretical terms.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in defining" to clearly indicate the act of establishing the meaning or scope of a concept, term, or process. Ensure that the context makes it clear what is being defined.

Common error

Avoid using "in defining" when you are merely describing something rather than establishing its fundamental characteristics or boundaries. Choose a more descriptive verb if you are not setting out to create a firm definition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in defining" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the action of defining something, often setting the stage for further explanation or analysis. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in defining" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that serves to introduce the act of defining something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. Its function is to set the context for specifying the meaning or scope of a term, concept, or process. It maintains a neutral to formal register and is frequently observed in scientific, news, and business contexts, indicating its widespread applicability. Some similar and meaningful alternatives includes "when defining", "while defining" and "in the definition of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when defining

Switches the preposition to focus on the timing of the defining action.

while defining

Highlights that the defining action happens concurrently with something else.

in the definition of

Emphasizes the content of the definition rather than the action of defining.

for defining

Shifts the focus to the purpose or reason for defining something.

to define

Uses the infinitive form of the verb, focusing on the act of definition itself.

defining

Uses the gerund form of the verb as a noun, focusing on the definition itself.

when specifying

Replaces 'defining' with a synonym that suggests being precise or detailed.

in establishing

Uses an alternative action verb that focuses on setting up or creating a definition.

in determining

Replaces 'defining' with a synonym that emphasizes the process of finding something out.

for the purpose of defining

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the intent or goal behind the defining action.

FAQs

How can I use "in defining" in a sentence?

You can use "in defining" to introduce the process of specifying the meaning or scope of something. For example, "In defining success, consider both personal fulfillment and professional achievement."

What are some alternatives to using "in defining"?

You can use alternatives like "when defining", "while defining", or "in the definition of" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "in defining" or "to define"?

The choice between "in defining" and "to define" depends on the sentence structure. "In defining" typically introduces a phrase, while "to define" introduces an infinitive verb. For example, "In defining the problem, we must consider all factors" versus "We need to define the problem clearly."

What's the difference between "in defining" and "by defining"?

"In defining" emphasizes the act of defining as a context or setting, whereas "by defining" emphasizes that the definition is the means to achieve a certain result. For example, "In defining the project scope, we set boundaries" versus "We achieved clarity by defining the project scope."