was couched in terms of

USAGE SUMMARY

"was couched in terms of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing a statement, idea, or opinion that someone has expressed in a particular way or using particular terms, for example: The speaker's criticism of the new law was couched in terms of its potential negative effects on the economy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

In the 20th century, the argument for such provision was couched in terms of class war.

The Guardian - Opinion

The original proposal was couched in terms of the so-called preferred semantics for abstract argumentation.

Artificial Intelligence

The proposal was couched in terms of the benefits of agencies joining with clients to bolster efforts to build brands.

The New York Times

One fairly important wrinkle I haven't seem emphasized: the inflation criterion was couched in terms of the inflation projection, rather than past inflation.

The New York Times

He was deeply opposed to any account of artistic creativeness which was couched in terms of a collective psyche rather than by reference to individual invention and discoveries which others could then adopt.

The Guardian

America has a long and tragic history of punishing black men for contact (or alleged contact) with white women, and all too often, the activities of the Ku Klux Klan and other vigilante violence was couched in terms of protecting white womanhood from "dangerous" black men.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

So the theory is couched in terms of equilibrium.

Yale University

NCC is a game theoretic concept and specifically is couched in terms of mechanism design.

Theoretical Computer Science

But denunciations of Muslims and their beliefs have been couched in terms of security.

The Economist

LIKE most things these days, the debate is couched in terms of America v The World.

The Economist

Consider the argument for eliminating aid, which is couched in terms of the growing wealth and economic clout of India.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was couched in terms of" to specify the particular language or perspective used to present an idea, argument, or situation. This highlights the framing rather than the core content.

Common error

Avoid using "was couched in terms of" when you simply want to describe the content of something. This phrase is best when highlighting the specific way something was expressed, not the substance itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was couched in terms of" functions as a predicative complement. It specifies the manner or language used to express a statement, idea, or argument. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English. It highlights the framing or perspective adopted rather than the substance itself.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was couched in terms of" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that specifies the manner or language used to express a statement or idea. Ludwig AI affirms its validity, highlighting its role in emphasizing the framing or perspective adopted rather than the substance itself. It commonly appears in news, scientific, and academic contexts, signaling a neutral formality level. Related phrases like "was framed in terms of" and "was expressed in terms of" offer similar alternatives. When using "was couched in terms of", ensure the focus is on how something was conveyed, not simply its content. This makes it a valuable tool for precise and nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was framed in terms of

Focuses on the way something is presented or structured, emphasizing the frame of reference.

was defined in terms of

Highlights the act of giving a specific meaning or definition to something.

was expressed in terms of

Emphasizes the act of conveying thoughts or feelings using particular language.

was phrased in terms of

Focuses on the specific wording or manner of expression.

was delivered in terms of

Highlights how something was communicated or presented to an audience.

was put in terms of

Focuses on the way something was formulated or expressed simply.

was posed in terms of

Emphasizes the way a question or problem was presented or framed.

was conceived in terms of

Highlights how something was initially thought about or understood.

was formulated in terms of

Focuses on how something was carefully and systematically expressed.

was presented in the context of

Shifts the focus to the broader circumstances in which something was shown or described.

FAQs

How can I use "was couched in terms of" in a sentence?

You can use "was couched in terms of" to indicate that something was expressed using a specific type of language or within a particular framework. For instance, "The argument was couched in terms of economic benefit, rather than environmental impact".

What's a similar phrase to "was couched in terms of"?

Alternatives include "was framed in terms of", "was expressed in terms of", or "was defined in terms of". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "was couched in terms of" or "was explained in terms of"?

"Was couched in terms of" implies a particular style or approach in presenting information. "Was explained in terms of" simply means something was clarified using certain concepts. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the how or the what of the explanation.

Can "was couched in terms of" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "was couched in terms of" is suitable for formal writing. It's often used in academic, journalistic, and professional contexts to indicate a specific framing or perspective. It shows that the topic is presented in a particular way.