it describes that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it describes that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used when explaining or clarifying what something conveys or indicates, but the structure is awkward. Example: "The report is comprehensive; however, it describes that the data may not be entirely accurate."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Instead it describes that function as "networking and outreach".

The New York Times

I'm not exactly sure what it is, but there's something about that quote, and what it describes, that makes me really uncomfortable.

Huffington Post

Aside from questioning the value of the bailout, the excerpt is also interesting in how it describes that Oct. 13 meeting and its players.

Huffington Post

It describes that software standards are vital to the success of communications technologies.

Bluetooth Application Programming with the Java APIs

It describes that inconsolable state of heartbreak where "All the words of wisdom never seem to heal the pain/All the words of wisdom sound the same".

The New York Times - Arts

It describes that long-term mathematical predictions of the behavior of chaotic systems are no more accurate than random chance, whereas short-term predictions, can be accurate.

Just-In-Time Math for Engineers

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

My poor Sunday school teacher would probably weep to read it described that way.

Los Angeles Times

We judged a study to be low risk of bias for blinding when it described that specimen samples were coded or otherwise blinded.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Not that it's described that way, of course.

The New York Times

"It was described that way by some of the administration's critics.

The Guardian

He did not call his book a satire, he said, but was happy for it be described that way.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it describes that" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically correct alternatives such as "it indicates that" or "it explains that".

Common error

While "it describes that" might seem straightforward, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less professional. Vary your phrasing by using synonyms like "it specifies that" or "it details that" to enhance clarity and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it describes that" functions as a sentence connector introducing a clause that provides a description or explanation. Although it appears in various contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it describes that" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI marks it as not correct in standard written English. Its function is to introduce descriptive or explanatory information, primarily in science and news contexts. To improve writing, it's recommended to use more grammatically sound alternatives such as "it indicates that" or "it explains that". These alternatives enhance clarity and professionalism, avoiding the awkwardness associated with the original phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it indicates that

Replaces "describes" with "indicates", providing a more standard and grammatically sound phrasing.

it explains that

Substitutes "describes" with "explains", offering a direct and clearer way to convey the information.

it specifies that

Changes "describes" to "specifies", emphasizing a more detailed and precise account.

it details that

Uses "details" instead of "describes", highlighting the comprehensive nature of the description.

it outlines that

Replaces "describes" with "outlines", suggesting a summary or overview is being provided.

it clarifies that

Swaps "describes" for "clarifies", implying the information is making something easier to understand.

it illustrates that

Using "illustrates" in place of "describes" suggests the information is providing a visual or vivid representation.

it reveals that

Replaces "describes" with "reveals", implying that the information is uncovering something previously unknown.

it mentions that

Substitutes "describes" with "mentions", suggesting a brief or casual reference is made.

it notes that

Uses "notes" instead of "describes", indicating a formal observation or record is being made.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "it describes that"?

You can use alternatives like "it indicates that", "it explains that", or "it specifies that depending on the context.

Is "it describes that" grammatically correct?

The phrase "it describes that" is generally considered grammatically awkward. It's better to use phrases like "it indicates that" or "it explains that" for clearer communication.

How can I improve my writing by avoiding "it describes that"?

To improve your writing, replace "it describes that" with more precise and grammatically sound alternatives. For instance, use "it details that" to highlight a comprehensive account or "it clarifies that" to suggest the information is making something easier to understand.

What's the difference between "it describes that" and "it indicates that"?

"It describes that" is often considered an awkward construction. "It indicates that" is a more grammatically correct and widely accepted alternative, suggesting the information points to a particular conclusion or fact.