we are describing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are describing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that you are providing details or explanations about a particular subject or topic. Example: "In this section of the report, we are describing the impact of climate change on marine life."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are describing a number, not an amount; make it fewer, not less.

The New York Times

When we talk about "intelligence" we are describing behaviour, or a propensity towards certain behaviour, and not the exercise of some disembodied intellect.

The Guardian - Books

Also, we are describing the extent of time, not the number of years, so make it "as much as two years".

The New York Times

At first, we are describing the first reason.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Please note that the neighboring relationship we are describing in that section is not reflective.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Now, quantities TV and TD can be estimated as we are describing in the subsequent analysis.

International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

The situation we are describing here is an extreme one and perhaps not the norm in every GP practice.

BBC

In the following sub-sections, we are describing the selection of the videos, of the users, and of the questions.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

We are describing the concept and the realization of an indoor security assistance system for real-time decision support.

International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection

He said: "The issues we are describing here are common knowledge at every level in every force within England and Wales".

BBC

"I have long been interested in how we use labels to limit the people we are describing - even, at worse, to dehumanise them.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we are describing", ensure that the context makes it clear what "we" refers to and what is being described. Clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid using "we are describing" without a clear indication of what is being described. Always provide context or specify the subject matter immediately following the phrase to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are describing" serves as a metadiscourse marker, explicitly signaling to the audience that the authors are currently in the process of providing a description. Ludwig examples show its frequent use in academic and scientific writing to introduce explanations or details.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we are describing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to signal that a detailed explanation or account is about to be provided. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most commonly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While generally versatile, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what is being described to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "we are explaining" or "we are detailing" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are explaining

Replaces 'describing' with 'explaining', focusing on clarification.

we are detailing

Substitutes 'describing' with 'detailing', emphasizing thoroughness.

we are outlining

Replaces 'describing' with 'outlining', focusing on summarization.

we are illustrating

Uses 'illustrating' instead of 'describing', highlighting examples.

we are presenting

Replaces 'describing' with 'presenting', emphasizing introduction of information.

we are defining

Uses 'defining' instead of 'describing', focusing on providing a specific meaning.

we are portraying

Replaces 'describing' with 'portraying', focusing on depiction and representation.

we are characterizing

Uses 'characterizing' instead of 'describing', highlighting distinctive features.

we are setting forth

Replaces 'describing' with 'setting forth', emphasizing formal presentation.

we are elucidating

Uses 'elucidating' instead of 'describing', focusing on making something clear and understandable.

FAQs

How can I use "we are describing" in a sentence?

Use "we are describing" to introduce an explanation or detailed account of something. For example, "In this section, we are describing the experimental setup."

What can I say instead of "we are describing"?

You can use alternatives like "we are explaining", "we are detailing", or "we are outlining" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "we are describing" in formal writing?

Yes, "we are describing" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in academic or scientific contexts where you need to clearly state that you are providing a description. However, ensure the tone remains objective and professional.

What's the difference between "we are describing" and "we are explaining"?

"We are describing" focuses on providing details and characteristics, while ""we are explaining"" focuses on making something understandable by clarifying its causes or reasons. The choice depends on whether you're detailing something or elucidating its underlying principles.