was described by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was described by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to how someone or something has been characterized or explained by another person or source. Example: "The phenomenon was described by several researchers in their studies on climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His mood was described by prison guards as "relaxed".

The Guardian

Houser, 59, was described by police as a "drifter".

The Guardian

Mr. Goss's role was described by former intelligence officials.

The New York Times

She was described by colleagues as "terribly committed".

The Guardian

A draft outline was described by board members this week.

The New York Times

The report was described by JR Scott as "an experiment".

The Guardian

The explosive device was described by the police as "viable".

The New York Times

The tactic they perfected was described by critics as "victimhood".

The Economist

Sexual intercourse was described by six patients.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The procedure was described by Hwang (Hwang2001).

Environmental Systems Research

Protocol was described by T. Mosmann [33].

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was described by" to attribute a specific characterization or explanation to a source, ensuring clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was described by" without properly identifying the source. Ensure the description accurately reflects the source's viewpoint.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was described by" functions as a passive construction used to attribute a description or characterization to a specific source or individual. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

50%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was described by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction for attributing descriptions to specific sources. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its prevalence in news, scientific literature, and general reference materials. When using this phrase, ensure accurate attribution to maintain credibility. Alternatives like "was characterized by", "was defined by", and "was portrayed by" can add nuance depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was characterized by

Focuses on the qualities or features used to define something.

was defined by

Emphasizes a formal or precise explanation of something.

was portrayed by

Highlights the way something was represented or depicted.

was labeled by

Indicates the assignment of a specific term or category.

was depicted by

Similar to 'portrayed', focusing on visual or artistic representation.

was explained by

Highlights the provision of reasons or understanding about something.

was termed by

Emphasizes the specific word or phrase used to refer to something.

was outlined by

Focuses on providing a summary or main points.

was designated by

Indicates the assignment of a specific role or function.

was considered by

Highlights an opinion or point of view about something.

FAQs

How can I use "was described by" in a sentence?

Use "was described by" to show how someone or something is characterized by a source. For example, "The phenomenon "was described by" researchers as complex".

What are some alternatives to "was described by"?

You can use alternatives such as "was characterized by", "was defined by", or "was portrayed by" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was described from" instead of "was described by"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "was described" when attributing the description to a source is "by". Using "from" would be grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "was described by" and "was explained by"?

"Was described by" indicates a characterization or portrayal, while "was explained by" suggests a reason or understanding was provided. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.