like he described

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "like he described" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was previously explained or detailed by someone, indicating that you are comparing it to that description. Example: "The painting was exactly like he described, with vibrant colors and intricate details."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

So rather than drown readers in a swamp of gigahertz, megawatts, joules, tonnes of oil equivalent and the like, he describes everything in terms of kilowatt hours per day (kWh/d).

The Guardian

"Having worked with Mark on The Hurt Locker, I felt like his attention to detail is so acute – and he comes from the world of investigative journalism – that it's sort of like… He described the way we worked together as he cuts the vegetables and I make the soup".

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Davies, who plans to be in Davos, may present a plan for a global regulator with real power — "A kind of financial W.T.O., if you like," as he describes it.

The New York Times

In these years, her friends were books, and she actually thought Shakespeare was a poor black girl like her because he described her suffering so acutely.

Huffington Post

Like others, he described them as polite and respectful.

The New York Times

Like Eyestorm, he described his public as mainstream -- people making a step up from posters.

The New York Times

Islamists will come, and there will be massacres of minorities.' " I met several Syrians like those he described — people who deplored the violence of the regime but still hoped that, given more time, Bashar could institute meaningful reform.

The New Yorker

Parent Richard Wilford said his seven-year-old son Richie described a noise that "sounded like what he described as cans falling".

BBC

Bush got universal applause at predictable spots in his appearance, like when he described Obama as a "failed president" or expressed his support for Israel and his distrust of Iran nuclear negotiations.

Huffington Post

Though he said he likes "No," which he described as "a good effort to show a pretty accurate picture of Chile in the '80s," he also stressed the importance of the opposition's long-term ground game.

The New York Times

Dulles had a liking for Wolff, whom he described as "trustworthy," "extremely good-looking," "aristocratic" and even "Goethe'esque" — whatever he meant by this.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "like he described", ensure the context makes it clear who "he" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. If the context is not immediately clear, rephrase to explicitly state the person being referenced.

Common error

Avoid using "like he described" when you intend to convey a perfect equivalence. "Like" implies a similarity, not necessarily an exact match. For a perfect match, consider using "exactly as he described" or "precisely as he outlined".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like he described" functions as a comparative connector, linking something to a previous description provided by a specific person. It introduces an element of similarity between the subject and the description, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "like he described" is a grammatically correct way to express a similarity between something and a previous description provided by someone, according to Ludwig AI. While the phrase is valid, it's important to consider whether a more precise alternative would better convey your intended meaning. Due to low frequency and low examples, the phrase may sound somewhat uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as he depicted it

Replaces "described" with "depicted", emphasizing the visual aspect of the description.

in his words

Indicates the following description is directly using his terminology.

according to his description

Formal way to indicate that the following information is from his description.

consistent with his account

Highlights the consistency with a narrative or recounting of events.

matching his portrayal

Similar to "depicted", focuses on a particular representation or portrayal.

just as he outlined

Emphasizes the structured or planned nature of the description.

as per his explanation

A more formal phrasing, indicating adherence to his given explanation.

similar to what he illustrated

Highlights a visual or figurative element within his description.

resembling his characterization

Focuses on the characteristics or qualities he attributed to something.

akin to his representation

A more formal alternative, highlighting how something was presented.

FAQs

How can I use "like he described" in a sentence?

You can use "like he described" to compare something to a previous description given by someone else. For example: "The room was exactly "as he described it", with sunlight streaming through the window."

What are some alternatives to "like he described"?

Alternatives include "as he depicted it", "according to his description", or "in his words", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "like he described" or should I use another phrase?

While "like he described" is grammatically correct, consider whether a more precise phrase such as "exactly as he described" or "precisely as he outlined" might better convey your intended meaning.

What is the difference between "like he described" and "as he described"?

"Like he described" implies a similarity or resemblance, while "as he described" can imply either similarity or that the following information comes directly from his description. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize a comparison or simply attribute the description to him.