were described as

USAGE SUMMARY

"were described as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a description of someone or something. For example: "The new recruits were described as ambitious, hardworking, and eager to learn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A quarter were described as urgent.

The New York Times

Their wounds were described as nonlife-threatening.

The New York Times

Government los ses were described as light.

The New York Times

Their relations were described as strained.

The New York Times

Davis and Gorrissen were described as irreplaceable.

The Guardian

Six of them were described as militants.

The New York Times

All were described as experienced offshore yachtsmen.

The Guardian - Sport

The three were described as longtime friends.

The New York Times

Sanitary arrangements were described as "precarious".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Each method is described, as follows.

Plosone

It is described as oligotrophic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were described as" to introduce a summary or characterization of something based on existing accounts or observations. For example, "The effects of the medication were described as mild and temporary."

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice with "were described as" to the point where the agent doing the describing is consistently omitted, as this can make your writing vague and less informative. Ensure that the source or basis of the description is clear when relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were described as" functions as a passive reporting verb phrase. It introduces a description or characterization attributed to an unspecified source, indicating how something or someone was presented or perceived. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid and common way to introduce descriptive elements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were described as" is a grammatically sound and widely used construction to introduce a description or characterization based on external sources. As Ludwig AI points out, it is a valid way to present how something or someone has been portrayed. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, scientific writing, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by referencing the source of the description when relevant, and avoid overusing the passive voice. Remember the alternatives "were characterized as", "were portrayed as", and "were labeled as", which offer subtle differences in meaning depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were characterized as

Replaces 'described' with 'characterized', emphasizing the qualities attributed.

were portrayed as

Substitutes 'described' with 'portrayed', focusing on the image or representation conveyed.

were labeled as

Uses 'labeled' instead of 'described', highlighting a specific designation or classification.

were defined as

Replaces 'described' with 'defined', stressing a formal or precise explanation.

were regarded as

Changes 'described' to 'regarded', indicating a general opinion or assessment.

were known as

Uses 'known' instead of 'described', focusing on established recognition.

were considered to be

Replaces 'described' with 'considered to be', suggesting a thoughtful evaluation.

were referred to as

Substitutes 'described' with 'referred to', emphasizing the act of naming or alluding.

were depicted as

Uses 'depicted' instead of 'described', highlighting a visual or artistic representation.

were classified as

Replaces 'described' with 'classified', stressing a systematic categorization.

FAQs

How can I use "were described as" in a sentence?

Use "were described as" to introduce how something or someone was characterized based on external observations or reports. For example, "The economic conditions "were described as" challenging by several analysts".

What are some alternatives to "were described as"?

Alternatives include "were characterized as", "were portrayed as", or "were labeled as", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with descriptions?

While passive voice with "were described as" is grammatically correct, active voice can sometimes be more direct and engaging. Consider "Analysts described the economic conditions as challenging" for a more active construction.

What's the difference between "were described as" and "were considered as"?

"Were described as" typically indicates an external description or account, while "were considered as" suggests a subjective judgment or opinion. The choice depends on whether you're reporting a description or an assessment.