to define this as

USAGE SUMMARY

"to define this as" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to introduce a definition. For example, "We can use 'to define this as' to explain the concept of a family as a group of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But more and more people are coming to define this as waste.

The New York Times

We, along with all the health authorities, did everything possible to try to define this as soon as possible.

Science Magazine

Given this, data were generated in our laboratories to define this as accurately as possible.

CPT: Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology

"I'm going to have to define this as I go along.

The New York Times

The key thing is to define this as a marketing problem, not a technology or e-government problem.

The Guardian

"If you're trying to define this as a choice and not a referendum, why step on the opportunity for the American people to see the alternatives?" the source asked.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

You have a survey dataset named 'shopping', with n=305 and N=6291, and you are going to define this dataset as survey data called "shoppingsvy".

Columbia University

"In attempting to define this case as a challenge to 'the will of the people,' state defendants lost sight of what this case is truly about: people," the judge said.

The Guardian

In this paper, we simply choose to define this area as a disc centered on the location of the corresponding sample (mathbf {L}_{i}) (Fig. 3).

ROBOMECH Journal

The French president tried to define this battle as less about efficiency and more about promoting growth - but even with strong support from the Italians, he did not not get his way.

BBC

He went on to define this gathering as "the great grimacing sensitive ones, buffoons with just too much plastic intelligence".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to define this as" to introduce a formal definition or characterization of a concept or subject, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "to define this as" in overly casual or informal writing. Simpler language may be more appropriate. Overuse can also make your writing sound stilted or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to define this as" serves as an infinitive phrase that introduces a definition or specification. It sets the stage for clarifying the meaning or scope of a particular subject, concept, or term. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

45%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to define this as" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a formal definition or characterization. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most commonly found in scientific and formal contexts but also appears in news and media. While effective for clarity, overuse should be avoided in informal writing. Consider alternatives such as "to characterize this as" or "to classify this as" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to characterize this as

Replaces 'define' with 'characterize', emphasizing specific attributes or qualities.

to classify this as

Uses 'classify' instead of 'define', focusing on categorizing the subject within a system.

to label this as

Employs 'label', which suggests assigning a descriptive term, possibly informally.

to consider this as

Substitutes 'define' with 'consider', implying a more subjective assessment.

to interpret this as

Replaces 'define' with 'interpret', emphasizing the act of understanding its meaning.

to view this as

Uses 'view' instead of 'define', suggesting a particular perspective or opinion.

to understand this as

Employs 'understand' instead of 'define', focusing on comprehension.

to recognize this as

Uses 'recognize', which suggests acknowledging a previously known quality or definition.

to identify this as

Replaces 'define' with 'identify', focusing on pinpointing a specific characteristic or category.

to specify this as

Employs 'specify' instead of 'define', emphasizing precision and detail in the characterization.

FAQs

How do I use "to define this as" in a sentence?

Use "to define this as" when you want to introduce a specific definition or characterization. For example, "We can use 'to define this as' to explain the concept of a family as a group of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption."

What are some alternatives to "to define this as"?

You can use alternatives like "to characterize this as", "to classify this as", or "to label this as" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "to define this as"?

It's appropriate to use "to define this as" in formal writing, academic papers, and technical documents where precise definitions are important. Avoid it in casual conversations or informal writing.

Is "to define this as" interchangeable with "to describe this as"?

While similar, "to define this as" implies a precise or formal definition, whereas "to describe this as" is more general and can include subjective qualities or features.