representing to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "representing to" is not commonly used in written English and may be considered awkward or incorrect in many contexts.
It could be used in legal or formal contexts where one party is making a representation to another party, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The contract includes a clause representing to the buyer that the property is free of liens."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

She carries a dozen or so colored pencils with her, each representing to her a particular emotional color or key.

The New Yorker

Mr. Rand is discussing the image representing "To know there is a God," the first commandment in the list as compiled by Maimonides.

The New York Times

"That is what you are making him out to be," Lisa told her. "That is what you are representing to people.

The New Yorker

The suffering from Hurricane Katrina was still fresh then, with the storm representing to Democrats a failure of compassion and competence by the Bush administration.

The New York Times

Yet the conspirators must have felt that there was a benefit to be gained from representing to a large public (and perhaps to themselves as well) a successful coup d'état.

The New Yorker

"There's nobody in the cabinet who is responsible for representing – to those members of the cabinet who may need advice on an issue – how a particular proposal may impact on the judiciary," the lord chief justice observed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Storyboards are like freeze-frame movies representing to-be scenarios of the user's practice.

Contextual Design Design for Life

Representing to a consumer that they have a liability which they do not may well be misleading and deceptive conduct within the meaning of s 18 of the Australian Consumer Law and it may be equally misleading to represent to someone that their potential liability is much higher than it could ever realistically be.

The Guardian - Opinion

What did she represent to her?

The New Yorker

Who does he represent to you?

The New Yorker

That's what football represented to me.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "representing to", ensure the context involves a formal communication or presentation of something, especially when conveying information or portraying something in a specific way.

Common error

Avoid using "representing to" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "showing", "telling", or "explaining" for better clarity and natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "representing to" functions as a verb phrase acting as a transitive verb, where 'representing' is the verb and 'to' introduces the indirect object, specifying to whom or what the representation is being made. Ludwig examples showcase this usage in contexts such as legal statements and formal communications.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "representing to" is a phrase used to describe the act of conveying or portraying something to a specific audience, often in a formal or official context. As highlighted by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media, and in scientific sources. While grammatically acceptable, using simpler alternatives like "presenting to" or "indicating to" can often provide clarity and a more natural tone, especially in informal settings. Always consider your audience and the level of formality required when deciding whether to use "representing to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

portraying to

Focuses on the act of depicting or presenting something in a particular way, similar to representing.

presenting to

Emphasizes the act of showing or offering something, often information or an idea, to someone.

indicating to

Highlights the act of pointing out or suggesting something to someone.

conveying to

Focuses on the act of communicating a message or idea to someone.

communicating to

Stresses the process of sharing information or ideas with someone.

showing to

Emphasizes visually displaying or demonstrating something to someone.

demonstrating to

Highlights the act of proving or illustrating something to someone.

making known to

Focuses on the act of revealing or disclosing information to someone.

explaining to

Highlights the act of clarifying or elucidating something to someone.

disclosing to

Emphasizes the act of revealing previously hidden information to someone.

FAQs

How can I use "representing to" in a sentence?

Use "representing to" to indicate a formal communication or portrayal, such as, "The lawyer was "representing to" the court that his client was innocent."

What are some alternatives to "representing to"?

You can use alternatives like "portraying to", "presenting to", or "indicating to" depending on the context.

Is "representing to" formal or informal?

"Representing to" is generally considered a more formal expression, suitable for legal, business, or official communications. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives are often preferred.

What's the difference between "representing to" and "representing"?

"Representing" can be used more broadly to mean symbolizing or acting on behalf of someone. "Representing to" specifically implies conveying information or portraying something to a particular audience or recipient.