the phrase employed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the phrase employed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific phrase that has been used in a particular context or discussion. Example: "In the report, the phrase employed to describe the situation was particularly impactful."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The vagueness of the phrases employed in some instances to describe these obligations has led to controversy and has made the task of interpretation difficult.

Yale University

Having identified a particular acoustic stimulus as linguistic, the system executes a series of deterministic grammatical computations or mappings, resulting in an output representation, which is the semantic representation, or logical form, of the sentence or phrase employed in the utterance.

SEP

Like McCarthy, Mallon possesses a sharp tongue and a gift for the wicked turn of phrase employed on selective occasions.

The New York Times - Books

The blog said that he had done so on two occasions, one last year and one last week, and stated (accurately) that "Keep America American" was a phrase employed by the K.K.K. in the 1920s.

The New York Times

At once emotionally precise and emotionally layered, these "not quite stories" evoke a girl's coming of age — her efforts to articulate an identity of her own (not the one her mother would have chosen for her) and intimations that she will eventually go out "into the World," to use a phrase employed in another story, that lies beyond the small-town horizons of her parents.

The New York Times - Books

Miller, for example, in a March 2014 email, he asked Priestley not to use the term "cycle of debt," a phrase employed by consumer advocates to describe borrowers who repeatedly take out new loans to cover the old ones.

The Washington Post

In a March 2014 email, he asked Priestley not to use the term "cycle of debt," a phrase employed by consumer advocates to describe borrowers who repeatedly take out new loans to cover the old ones.

Los Angeles Times

The Alley's name is thought to have been derived from "Clowns, allez!" (French for "go!") — a phrase employed when accidents occur and the clowns are sent to divert the crowd's attention.

The New York Times

He was "a fastball wrapped in a riddle," to use a phrase employed by Larry Tye, author of a new biography, "Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend".

The New York Times - Books

(Unfortunately, he can't use a phrase employed by an innovative journalist on a panel on the media. The acronym is JFDI-- just fucking do it").

Huffington Post

What was unprecedented about these exchanges was the degree to which cooperation seemed a real possibility rather than a diplomatic phrase employed to mask perennial differences in perennially touchy bilateral relations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the phrase employed", ensure the context clearly identifies the phrase being referenced, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. For example, clarify the original source and context where the phrase was first used.

Common error

Avoid consistently relying on "the phrase employed" in formal documents; vary your language with synonyms like "the term used" or "the expression utilized" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the phrase employed" functions primarily as a meta-linguistic device, referencing the use of a specific expression. It serves to draw attention to the phrase itself rather than its semantic content. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

35%

Science

35%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the phrase employed" is a grammatically sound phrase used to reference a specific expression, inviting analysis of its use and context. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its functional role in written English. Though relatively rare, it appears across a range of reputable sources, most commonly in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While grammatically correct, writers should aim to vary this structure to avoid sounding repetitive. Alternatives include "the term used" or "the expression utilized". Overall, the phrase serves as a functional and grammatically accepted way to reference a particular saying.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the expression used

Focuses on the act of using an expression, swapping 'phrase' for 'expression'.

the term utilized

Replaces 'phrase' with 'term' and 'employed' with 'utilized', indicating a formal usage.

the wording chosen

Highlights the selection of specific wording, rather than the general use of a phrase.

the language adopted

Emphasizes the act of adopting certain language, suggesting a deliberate choice.

the terminology applied

Focuses on the application of specific terminology in a context.

the phraseology implemented

Replaces 'employed' with 'implemented', suggesting a more structured or intentional application of phraseology.

the expression invoked

Highlights the act of calling upon or citing a particular expression.

the idiom expressed

Replaces 'phrase' with 'idiom', focusing on the use of a specific idiomatic expression.

the turn of phrase adopted

Emphasizes the stylistic choice of a specific 'turn of phrase'.

the specific wording selected

Replaces 'the phrase' with 'the specific wording', focusing on a deliberate choice of particular words.

FAQs

How can I use "the phrase employed" in a sentence?

Use "the phrase employed" to refer back to a specific phrase already mentioned or widely known. For example: "In the analysis, "the phrase employed" by the author suggests a deeper understanding of the subject matter."

What are some alternatives to "the phrase employed"?

Alternatives include "the term used", "the expression utilized", or "the wording chosen", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more formal to say "the phrase employed" or "the phrase used"?

"The phrase employed" carries a slightly more formal tone than "the phrase used". "Employed" suggests a more deliberate and considered choice of words.

When is it appropriate to use "the phrase employed" instead of simply stating the phrase itself?

Use "the phrase employed" when you want to draw attention to the phrase itself, perhaps to analyze its impact, origin, or effectiveness, rather than just using the phrase for its literal meaning.