put into words

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put into words" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express difficulty in finding the right words to describe something, especially emotions. For example, "I was so overwhelmed by the beauty of the sunset, I couldn't put into words how I felt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Happiness is harder to put into words.

The New Yorker

It's impossible to put into words.

Independent

"It's just hard to put into words".

The New York Times - Sports

It's all better not put into words.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

No one can put into words why.

The Guardian - Music

"It's tough to put into words.

The New York Times

It's something you can't put into words.

The Guardian - Sport

It cannot be put into words.

The Guardian - Arts

Can't put into words this loss".

The New York Times - Sports

A. I can't put into words how thrilling this is.

University of California, Berkeley

"It's hard to describe or put into words," Ankiel said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put into words" when you find yourself struggling to adequately describe a feeling, experience, or concept. It signals to your audience that you recognize the limitations of language in capturing the full essence of what you're trying to convey.

Common error

While "put into words" is a useful idiom, avoid using it excessively in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and lacking in descriptive power. Instead, strive to find more vivid and specific language to convey your meaning, and leverage the phrase only when genuinely appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put into words" functions as a verbal idiom used to describe the act of expressing something using language, particularly when it's challenging to do so. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is valid and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put into words" is a common idiom used to express the difficulty in articulating something, especially feelings or complex ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage in written English, particularly in News & Media. While grammatically sound, overusing the phrase can weaken your writing. Consider alternatives like "articulate" or "verbalize" for variety. When employed thoughtfully, "put into words" serves as a valuable tool to acknowledge the limits of language and connect with your audience on a deeper level.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

communicate in words

Emphasizes the act of sharing information or feelings through language.

verbalize

Highlights the transformation of thoughts or feelings into words.

express verbally

Emphasizes the act of communicating something through spoken language.

formulate into words

Highlights the process of creating a clear and structured verbal expression.

give voice to

Suggests expressing something that was previously unexpressed or difficult to express.

convey in language

Focuses on the transmission of information or ideas through language.

articulate

Focuses on expressing thoughts or feelings clearly and effectively.

translate into language

Suggests converting something abstract or complex into understandable language.

render in speech

Implies transforming something into a spoken form.

put into writing

Specifically refers to expressing something through written language.

FAQs

How can I use "put into words" in a sentence?

You can use "put into words" to express difficulty in articulating something, such as: "The experience was so profound, I struggled to "put into words" how it affected me."

What are some alternatives to "put into words"?

Alternatives include "articulate", "express verbally", or "verbalize", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "put into words" or "describe"?

While both are valid, "put into words" often implies a greater challenge in finding the right language, suggesting that the subject is particularly complex or emotionally charged. "Describe" is a more general term for providing details.

What does it mean when someone says something is "hard to put into words"?

It typically means that the person is experiencing difficulty in adequately describing something, often due to its emotional intensity, complexity, or abstract nature. They may struggle to find the appropriate vocabulary to fully capture the essence of what they're trying to communicate.