we did not define

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we did not define" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that a certain term, concept, or parameter has not been specified or clarified in a discussion or document. Example: "In our previous meeting, we discussed various aspects of the project, but we did not define the timeline for completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

We did not define legal blindness, since only unilateral VI was analyzed.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

The original result used much weaker hypotheses on F, using notions which we did not define, so our statement is rather weaker than in Aczel's book.

SEP

We did not define active learning in these interviews and aimed to recruit instructors who described some instruction in which they stopped lecturing and students worked.

International Journal of STEM Education

We thought that these fields will hardly ever be used outside of class SmilesMol, therefore we did not define a new data type for each of them but used tuples and type aliases instead.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Pediatric heart rate and respiratory rate were recorded however given variability of vital signs with change in age, we did not define tachycardia/tachypnea for children All percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole percent HIV human immunodeficiency virus, IQR interquartile range, NA not applicable.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

Responses were not mutually exclusive and we did not define these terms.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Also, wouldn't it be great if we didn't define ourselves by our work?

The New York Times

We didn't define X as the number of exact exposures (only contact patients) because we might not know whether the contacted persons are infected in the real world.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Later, the singer said to me, "Nowadays, we do not define each thing that our song quickens; we express it in a single word, which is the Word".

The New Yorker

Of her political movement, she says: "We do not define ourselves as left or right but rather as a party that focuses on the systems.

The Guardian

If we do not define the topological degree, we may use (C overline{Omega})) and obtain similar results.

Boundary Value Problems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we did not define", clearly explain the rationale behind not providing a definition. This adds transparency and context to your writing.

Common error

Don't assume readers will intuitively grasp what you intentionally left undefined. Even if a formal definition is absent, provide context or implicit boundaries to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we did not define" primarily functions as a statement of methodological choice or limitation. As Ludwig AI points out, it clarifies that a specific term, concept, or parameter was intentionally left without a formal definition within a particular context. This acknowledgment is common in academic and scientific writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

94%

News & Media

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we did not define" is a common phrase, particularly in academic and scientific writing, used to explicitly state the absence of a formal definition for a specific term or concept. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and serves to manage reader expectations and acknowledge potential limitations. While the phrase appears most often in scientific contexts, alternative phrasings like "we did not specify" or "we left undefined" can offer nuanced variations. When using "we did not define", ensure to provide context for the omission and guide readers in their interpretation to avoid potential confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we left undefined

Focuses on the state of something not being defined.

we did not specify

Emphasizes the absence of a clear and detailed statement.

we didn't delineate

Highlights a lack of clear boundaries or limits.

we did not clarify

Stresses the absence of making something clear or understandable.

we failed to define

Indicates an omission or inability to establish a definition.

we didn't set out

Highlights the absence of establishing rules or definitions.

we omitted the definition of

Focuses on the exclusion of a definition.

the definition was not provided by us

Highlights in a passive way a missed definition.

no definition was given by us

Highlights in a passive way a missed definition.

we made no attempt to define

Emphasizes a lack of effort to define something.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "we did not define" in a research paper?

Use "we did not define" when you intentionally omit a formal definition for a term or parameter, often due to scope limitations, accepted ambiguity, or to allow for flexibility in interpretation. Always explain why you chose not to define it. For instance, "We focused on general trends and "we did not define" specific subgroups".

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "we did not define"?

Alternatives include "we did not specify", "we left undefined", or "we chose not to delineate". The best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey. If you didn't provide clear boundaries, use "we didn't delineate". If you just didn't specify, use "we did not specify".

How does using "we did not define" affect the interpretation of my work?

Explicitly stating "we did not define" alerts readers that a term may be interpreted in various ways. It's crucial to provide sufficient context to guide their understanding and prevent misinterpretations. If you are referring to a term that others use in a certain way, clarify that "we did not clarify" a common term.

Is it better to define everything explicitly, or are there situations where "we did not define" is preferable?

While clarity is vital, over-defining can restrict the scope of your work or force artificial boundaries. "We left undefined" is preferable when flexibility is needed, when a concept is inherently subjective, or when a precise definition falls outside the study's aims. However, you should acknowledge the potential for varied interpretations and provide sufficient contextual guidance.