it defines itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it defines itself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing concepts, terms, or ideas that are self-explanatory or self-referential. Example: "In philosophy, a tautology is a statement that is true by necessity; it defines itself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But regardless of how it defines itself, Google has come to grips with its role as both enabler and protector of the global exchange of information.

The New York Times

How a company responds to today's tumultuous technological and competitive landscape depends greatly on how it defines itself or, in some cases, redefines itself.

The New York Times

It defines itself so negatively against what came before it -- naturalism, romanticism and the wild revolution of modernism -- that it's sometimes hard to see what it actually is.

The New York Times

It defines itself by an inside and an outside, so the artists – who are often vulnerable adults, or at least unusual – find themselves with a word that describes them that suggests an otherness that I felt wasn't correct.

The Guardian - Arts

Saying he was mindful of how the church's teaching has shifted to recognize "the Jewish people as it defines itself," the Israeli president said it was now "important for the men and women in the church to also become familiar with the modern Israeli reality".

The New York Times

The news is a significant blow to British theatre and performance, and to Glasgow's reputation as a city that has always seemed to understand better than many others that it defines itself through the culture it makes and that it sends out across the rest of the UK and the world.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

And in doing so it defined itself.

The New Yorker

It defined itself in part as an "ecological" state, dedicated to preserving its natural environment -- the biggest draw for tourists.

The New York Times

How will it define itself against BBC4 – whilst keeping edgy comedy out of the hands of BBC3?

The Guardian

As the discipline of history, the anti-novel, emerged, and especially as it professionalized, it defined itself as the domain of men.

The New Yorker

At the time, it defined itself as a museum of culture rather than a museum of art, complicating the idea of what "art" might mean in the context.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it defines itself" when referring to a concept, organization, or system establishing its own identity or parameters intrinsically, rather than being defined externally.

Common error

Avoid using "it defines itself" when you actually mean how others perceive or define the subject. Ensure the definition truly originates from within.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it defines itself" functions as a declarative statement, asserting that a particular subject is characterized by its own internal definition. This is supported by examples found by Ludwig, which show usage in defining entities ranging from organizations to abstract concepts.

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

The phrase "it defines itself" is grammatically correct and implies that a subject actively establishes its own identity or characteristics from within. As highlighted by Ludwig, this expression is utilized across various domains like News & Media and Science, indicating a neutral register. Though "it defines itself" is not very common, as demonstrated by its relatively low frequency, understanding its nuances and alternatives, such as "it is self-defining" or "it determines its own nature", can enrich and clarify your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is self-defining

Uses an adjective to directly describe the subject's self-defining nature.

it is inherently defined

Emphasizes that the definition is an intrinsic property.

it establishes its own identity

Focuses on the act of creating an identity.

it determines its own nature

Highlights the power to shape its fundamental characteristics.

it characterizes its own being

Puts emphasis on the essence and the being of the subject.

it identifies its core features

Refers to recognizing and expressing the fundamental features of the entity.

it expresses its intrinsic qualities

Highlights the act of showing its essential characteristics

it manifests its true form

Focuses on the subject revealing its authentic nature.

it projects its self-image

Highlights the intentional presentation of its own image.

it embodies its essential traits

Emphasizes the subject encompassing and representing its fundamental attributes.

FAQs

How can I use "it defines itself" in a sentence?

Use "it defines itself" when discussing how a concept, entity, or organization intrinsically establishes its own identity or characteristics. For example, "A cooperative "it defines itself" by the values and principles it operates under".

What are some alternatives to "it defines itself"?

You can use alternatives such as "it is self-defining", "it establishes its own identity", or "it determines its own nature" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "it defines itself"?

While "it defines itself" can be seen as somewhat redundant, it emphasizes the subject's active role in shaping its own identity, as opposed to being defined by external factors. This is slightly different from saying "it is defined".

What's the difference between "it defines itself" and "it is defined"?

"It defines itself" implies an active, internal process of self-definition, whereas "it is defined" suggests a passive reception of a definition from an external source. For example, the first phrase indicates a subject shaping its own identity, while the second refers to the subject having an identity given to it by an outside influence.