it has the form of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it has the form of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating something has a similar shape or structure as something else. For example, "My dream house has the form of a castle."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The cytophore is poorly developed, and it has the form of thin, long cytoplasmic strands.

Micron

"It has the form of a classical tragedy," he said then.

The New Yorker

It has the form of a geographical survey of the Caliphate's territories, describing how each location came under Muslim rule.

University of California, Berkeley

The former is related to the total deformation; it has the form of a convolution integral and depends on the time evolution of the material parameters.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

It has the form of a plastic inflatable, with ridged seams, roughly the shape of a biscuit tin, or a small cushion, but not firmly inflated, so that its form is rather squashy.

Independent

It has the form of Woolf's "Between the Acts," or Henry Green's "Party Going," in which a static group of characters is gathered in a single place for a short period, and the novelist darts around, inhabiting the perspectives of the chief players.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Another art historian took a glimpse and sensed that while it had the form of a proper classical statue, it somehow lacked the spirit.

The New York Times - Books

It had the form of a stepped cylinder about 13 metres (43 feet) long and 4.2 metres (13.8 feet) in diameter at its widest point.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The five forms in it have the kind of presence that Brancusi's pioneering abstract forms did.

The New York Times

It has the episodic form of a well-made stage play, and in fact started life as a theatre production at the Royal Court in London.

The Guardian - Film

It does not have the form of a function saturated by (an argument that is) the boy referred to.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has the form of" when you want to describe the general appearance or structure of something without going into precise detail. It's useful for conveying a basic understanding of shape or organization.

Common error

Avoid using "it has the form of" when you actually want to describe the purpose or function of something. Focus on appearance only. If describing the main purpose, consider using phrases like "it serves as" or "it functions as" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has the form of" functions as a descriptive element, specifying the shape, structure, or general appearance of something. As supported by Ludwig's analysis, this phrase is used to draw a comparison between the subject and a known entity or concept.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has the form of" is a versatile phrase used to describe the appearance or structure of something in a general way. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts. While it's suitable for both formal and informal writing, be mindful of choosing more precise language when detail is needed. Its frequency is considered common, with strong presence in science, news media, and academic sources. Remember to avoid confusing the form of something with its function. Use it to offer a general visual understanding, keeping in mind its descriptive role.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it takes the shape of

Emphasizes physical appearance or outline.

it is structured like

Highlights the arrangement and organization of elements.

it resembles

Focuses on the similarity in appearance or nature.

it is modeled after

Suggests a deliberate design based on something else.

it is patterned on

Implies adherence to a specific design or template.

it mirrors

Indicates a close reflection or correspondence.

it approximates to

Suggests a near or inexact resemblance.

it is akin to

Highlights a similarity in essence or quality.

it is similar to

Indicates a general likeness or resemblance.

it echoes the structure of

Emphasizes a parallel in organizational layout.

FAQs

How can I use "it has the form of" in a sentence?

Use "it has the form of" to describe something's general shape or structure. For example, "The nebula it has the form of a giant eye."

What can I say instead of "it has the form of"?

You can use alternatives like "it takes the shape of", "it resembles", or "it is structured like" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "it has the form of" in formal writing?

Yes, "it has the form of" is suitable for formal writing as it's a grammatically correct and widely understood phrase. However, ensure it accurately reflects your intended meaning and isn't replaced better by more precise terminology.

What is the difference between "it has the form of" and "it is in the shape of"?

"It has the form of" is more general and can refer to structure or organization, while "it is in the shape of" is more specific to physical appearance. For instance, "The argument it has the form of a debate" versus "The balloon it is in the shape of a heart."