just a description

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just a description" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to clarify that something is merely a description without any additional implications or meanings. Example: "This document is just a description of the project requirements, nothing more."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

For me, it's mostly just a description".

The Guardian - Sport

Sometimes it seems to fail as an explanation, to fall down into being just a description.

The New Yorker

That isn't just a description of Saudi Arabia: it also applies to Qatar.

The New York Times

In the nineteen-nineties, "Adam Sandler movie" became not just a description but a genre, and an industry.

The New Yorker

"They pretend to be a plan, but they're actually just a description of an absence," Mr Stewart explained.

The Economist

People needed something more from a novel than just a description of the reality they already knew too well.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Since they had just heard a description of her mother crying and shouting tearing off her shirt and bra in an airport, that was not a casual statement.

The New Yorker

A few years later this inspired the Italian mathematician Eugenio Beltrami to produce just such a description of non-Euclidean geometry, the first physically plausible alternative to Euclidean geometry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This allows merchandisers to curate selections, not just pick a description off a spread sheet.

Forbes

The neural network illuminates how the brain implements the Turing-style model, just as a description in terms of logic gates illuminates how a personal computer executes a program in a high-level programming language.

SEP

I just found a description of salsa verde made with celery leaves, and that sounds perfect.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just a description" to clarify that you're providing an objective account without personal opinions or interpretations. This helps to set clear expectations for your audience.

Common error

Don't assume that "just a description" implies a lack of importance. A well-crafted description can be crucial for understanding complex topics or situations, even if it doesn't offer analysis or solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just a description" primarily functions as a qualifier. It clarifies the nature of information being presented, indicating that it is limited to descriptive aspects without analysis or interpretation, as Ludwig AI highlights.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Opinion

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "just a description" is a common qualifier used to clarify that information is presented objectively, without analysis or interpretation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across diverse sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and academic publications. While it's important to recognize that "just a description" doesn't diminish the value of descriptive content, its function is to manage expectations by focusing on observable facts. Related phrases such as "simply a description" or "merely a description" offer subtle variations, and being aware of these nuances can enhance clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply a description

Replaces "just" with "simply", emphasizing the basic nature of the description.

merely a description

Substitutes "just" with "merely", highlighting the limited scope of the description.

purely a description

Replaces "just" with "purely", stressing that it is only a description and nothing else.

only a description

Uses "only" instead of "just", focusing on the exclusiveness of the descriptive aspect.

a basic description

Adds "basic" to indicate a fundamental level of description.

a straightforward description

Uses "straightforward" to suggest the description is uncomplicated and direct.

a plain description

Employs "plain" to convey the simplicity and lack of embellishment in the description.

a factual description

Highlights that the description is based on facts and objective information.

a descriptive account

Changes "description" to "account", offering a slightly more narrative feel.

an outline

An outline is a description of the most important parts of something.

FAQs

How can I use "just a description" in a sentence?

You can use "just a description" to indicate that you are providing an objective account without analysis or interpretation. For instance, "This report is "just a description" of the events, without any commentary."

What are some alternatives to "just a description"?

Alternatives include "simply a description", "merely a description", or "purely a description", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "just a description"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that you're providing factual information without adding personal opinions, interpretations, or analysis. It sets clear expectations about the content you are presenting.

What's the difference between "just a description" and "an explanation"?

"Just a description" provides an account of what something is, while "an explanation" goes further to clarify why something is the way it is or how it works. A description focuses on observable facts, while an explanation offers reasons or mechanisms.