the description said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the description said" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a written description of something, such as a product or an event. For example: "The description said that the item was made of wood, but when I received it, it was plastic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The description said only, "The game I found".

The New Yorker

"User data collection is in accordance with applicable law, such as Coppa," the description said.

The New York Times

The description said, "Personalize your doll-size party just the way you want it!" And something tells me Clementine will.

The New York Times

Andy Ellwood, the man who posted the picture and the description, said in an interview Friday that it was taken by a friend of his on the flight.

The New York Times

"Even if you don't look at the picture, you have to listen to the description," said Anita Fream, the head of Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma.

The New York Times

Liz Geisewite was enjoying a Hop Sun (4.5percentt) from the Southern Tier Brewing Company after a fitness class because, she said, the description said it was light and easy.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

So, what does the description say?

The Guardian

As McDonald turns away, Van Dyke takes one step towards the teen and begins to fire his gun, the description says.

The Guardian

We aren't sure exactly what the description says because it's written in Telugu, but I think it says that we are doing some dairy related research.

Cornell University

Lot No. 25: Bar Unit The description says the bar, complete with built-in coolers, "fits great in an office suite".

The New York Times

The rental is offered for 804 shekels (£142) a night and the description says that it is a 12 minute drive from Jerusalem.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the description said", ensure that the source you are referring to is indeed a written description. This phrase implies a direct quotation or paraphrase from a textual source, like a product listing or an event overview.

Common error

Avoid using "the description said" when the information comes from a non-written source, such as a video or a conversation. Use phrases like "the presenter mentioned" or "the speaker noted" instead to accurately reflect the source of the information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the description said" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information sourced from a written description. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is used to present details, claims, or explanations that are directly derived from a descriptive text.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the description said" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that functions as a reporting clause, attributing information to a written source. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable news sources, highlighting its common use in objective reporting. While not exceedingly frequent, the phrase is most commonly encountered in news and media contexts. Related phrases, such as "the description stated" and "according to the description", offer similar ways to attribute information, each with slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure the source is indeed a written description, and avoid misattributing information from other sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the description stated

Replaces "said" with "stated", indicating a more formal or explicit declaration within the description.

the description indicated

Uses "indicated" instead of "said", suggesting that the description subtly pointed towards something.

according to the description

Emphasizes that the information comes directly from the description, acting as a citation.

the description mentioned

Substitutes "said" with "mentioned", implying that the detail was brought up but not necessarily emphasized.

the description read

Replaces "said" with "read", focusing on the act of reading the description to obtain the information.

the description explained

Uses "explained" to suggest the description provided a reason or clarification.

as per the description

Highlights that the information is exactly as it appears in the description, implying adherence to the text.

the details in the description noted

Expands the subject to "the details in the description" and uses "noted" instead of "said".

the product description claimed

Specifically refers to a product description and uses "claimed", possibly indicating a promotional context.

the documentation specified

Replaces "description" with "documentation" and "said" with "specified", implying a technical or instructional context.

FAQs

How can I use "the description said" in a sentence?

You can use "the description said" to introduce information that you are quoting or paraphrasing from a written description. For example, "The description said that the item was made of wood."

What is a more formal alternative to "the description said"?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives like "the description stated" or "according to the description".

Is it always necessary to directly quote after saying "the description said"?

No, you don't always have to directly quote. You can also paraphrase the information, but make sure your paraphrase accurately reflects what the description says. For example, "The description said it was suitable for all skin types."

What's the difference between "the description says" and "the description said"?

"The description says" implies the description still currently states the information, while "the description said" implies it stated the information at some point, but may not anymore. Use "says" for current descriptions and "said" for past descriptions.