this is dictated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is dictated" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to something that is determined or prescribed by external factors or authority. For example, "This is dictated by the rules of the competition." Alternative expressions include "this is determined" and "this is prescribed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

In part, this is dictated by the types of beers they make, but also by Gladwin's experience that publicans do not keep them with care.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Inclusive positivists accept the Social Thesis; they claim that moral considerations affect legal validity only in those cases where this is dictated by the social rules or conventions which happen to prevail in a given legal system.

SEP

This is dictated by the need to mitigate land deprivation (by returning nutrients from by-products of biogenic raw material conversion to the land) and to high energy demand for transport of biogenic raw materials and wastes from processing them, usually featuring either low transport densities or high water content or both.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

The exhibit concentrates on "reflecting and researching themes such as human senses, the meaning of the self and social nowadays where this is dictated by the 21st century networked capitalistic structures, and how the natural matter is transformed in order to produce the consumer goods we use everyday".

Vice

This is dictated by the action of the two central polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs) in mammals, called PRC1 and PRC2 (Mikkelsen et al., 2007; Simon and Kingston, 2009).

eLife

Mechanistically, we show that inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 pathway leads to activation of the Ras/MEK/ERK signalling cascade and this is dictated by K-Ras and c-Met status and protein phosphatase activity.

Bioscience Reports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Can this be dictated from a conference room abroad?

The New York Times

Much of this was dictated by external events.

The Economist

This was dictated by her paranoid mechanism (or whatever was wrong with her), perfected in small ways over the years.

The New Yorker

Previous validation of the prediction method focussed entirely on reproducing the spectral characteristics of buzz-saw noise; this was dictated at that time by the availability of spectral data only for comparison between measurement and prediction.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

As is true for most families with two working parents, this was dictated by the economy, not whim or simple choice.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this is dictated", ensure that the subject influencing the outcome is clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, clarify who or what is doing the dictating.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "this is dictated" as it can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider using active voice for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is dictated" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject or action is determined or controlled by an external force or rule. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is a standard English expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

26%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is dictated" serves as a passive construction used to convey that an action, decision, or outcome is determined by external rules, factors, or requirements. As Ludwig AI verifies, the phrase is grammatically sound and understandable. Its usage is most common in scientific and news contexts, indicating a need to explain cause-and-effect relationships objectively. Although widely understood, the passive construction can sometimes weaken writing, so consider using active voice alternatives for a more direct and impactful style. Common alternatives include "this is determined", this is governed, or "this is controlled".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is determined

Uses "determined" instead of "dictated", suggesting a more neutral or factual basis for the control.

this is governed

Replaces "dictated" with "governed", implying a rule-based or systematic influence.

this is controlled

Employs "controlled" instead of "dictated", highlighting the aspect of active management or restraint.

this is influenced

Substitutes "dictated" with "influenced", indicating a less forceful or more subtle form of impact.

this is mandated

Utilizes "mandated" instead of "dictated", specifically suggesting a formal requirement or legal obligation.

this is prescribed

Replaces "dictated" with "prescribed", implying a set standard or method to be followed.

this is set by

Offers a more direct attribution of the cause or influence by using "set by".

this is dependent on

Replaces "dictated" with "dependent on", focusing on the reliance of something on another factor.

this is subject to

Uses "subject to" instead of "dictated", implying that something is vulnerable to or conditional upon something else.

this is a result of

Replaces "dictated" with "a result of", shifting the focus to the outcome or consequence of an action or influence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "this is dictated" to sound more active?

Consider using active voice constructions like "[Something] dictates this" or "[A factor] determines this". This makes the sentence more direct and impactful.

Is "this is dictated by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "this is dictated by" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that something is determined or influenced by a particular factor. For example, "This is dictated by the rules."

What's a formal alternative to "this is dictated"?

Formal alternatives include phrases like "this is prescribed", "this is mandated", or "this is governed", which convey a similar meaning with a more authoritative tone.

In what contexts is "this is dictated" most appropriate?

"This is dictated" is appropriate in contexts where rules, regulations, or external factors strongly influence or determine an outcome, often in formal or technical writing.