to categorize it as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to categorize it as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to classify or label something in a specific way. Example: "In her research, she decided to categorize it as a form of modern art."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But the average onlooker might be forgiven for thinking this to be exactly the sports picture Ritchie adamantly refuses to categorize it as, if only--for starters--because of the litany of famous faces popping up as quasi-realistic context throughout the film, many of them Major Leaguers or tangential media figures.

Los Angeles Times

"People tend to categorize it as being just about the Holocaust, or about European Jews.

The New York Times

High incidence of migraine has caused to categorize it as one of the most debilitating human diseases.

Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health

The brain, struggling to process such a strange set of experiences, "has to categorize it as a dream or as a long-time memory," she suggested.

The New York Times

Here's how our brains work, as revealed by decades of psychological research: If we are thinking about something pleasant when a positive word pops up, we are quicker to categorize it as positive; but when a negative word pops up, we are slower to put it in the negative category.

University of California, Berkeley

In simple terms, this means that the software "looks" at an image of a page and compares that image to images of other pages to categorize it as a certain type of page.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Even the Metro-North home office doesn't know quite how to categorize it, describing it as an "eclectic mix of shingle style, Tudor revival and Romanesque revival".

The New York Times

It also reports that lenders initiated 80% of these frauds.1 When the person that controls a seemingly legitimate business or government agency uses it as a "weapon" to defraud we categorize it as a "control fraud" ("The Organization as 'Weapon' in White Collar Crime". Wheeler & Rothman 1982; The Best Way to Rob a Bank is to Own One. Black 2005).

Huffington Post

For example, if you take a picture of an elephant, Android phones use Google's cloud computing to recognize it and categorize it as a picture of an elephant.

Huffington Post

"I categorize it as a coup d'état".

The New York Times

"I wouldn't categorize it as a technicality," Mr. Weiner said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to categorize it as" when you want to classify something based on specific criteria or characteristics. Ensure the criteria are clear to provide context for the categorization.

Common error

Avoid using "to categorize it as" when the classification is too broad or lacks specific supporting details. Be precise in defining the category to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to categorize it as" serves as an infinitive phrase that introduces the act of classification. Ludwig provides various examples where the phrase is used to describe the process of assigning something to a specific category based on certain characteristics or criteria.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to categorize it as" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for classifying something. As indicated by Ludwig, it finds frequent application across diverse fields such as news, science, and academia. While it's considered correct, ensure clarity in the categorization criteria. Alternatives like "to classify it as" and "to label it as" can be used interchangeably depending on the desired emphasis. Use this phrase to introduce a formal classification process, providing structure and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to classify it as

Direct synonym, emphasizing a systematic assignment to a group.

to label it as

Focuses on assigning a descriptive term or name.

to designate it as

Implies a formal or official assignment.

to identify it as

Highlights the act of recognizing and specifying its nature.

to consider it as

Suggests a more subjective or evaluative categorization.

to regard it as

Similar to 'consider', but slightly more formal.

to define it as

Emphasizes setting boundaries and characteristics.

to characterise it as

British English variant, focusing on describing key attributes.

to group it under

Highlights placing something within a broader category.

to brand it as

Emphasizes creating a specific image or reputation.

FAQs

How can I use "to categorize it as" in a sentence?

You can use "to categorize it as" when you want to classify or label something in a specific way. For example: "In her research, she decided "to categorize it as" a form of modern art".

What are some alternatives to "to categorize it as"?

Some alternatives include "to classify it as", "to label it as", or "to designate it as", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "to categorize it like" instead of "to categorize it as"?

No, "to categorize it like" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is ""to categorize it as"".

What's the difference between "to categorize it as" and "to describe it as"?

"To categorize it as" implies placing something into a specific group or type, while "to describe it as" focuses on providing descriptive details about something's qualities or features.