what would define

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what would define" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the criteria or characteristics that determine the nature or identity of something. Example: "In this context, what would define success for our project?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

What would define success?

Harvard Business Review

What would define those relationships?

The Guardian - Opinion

One was a "senior foreign policy adviser" who, asked whether Obama considered himself a war president, said Obama did not feel he had the luxury of choosing what would define his presidency.

The New York Times

Note: The lens lengths are given as examples and not what would define the focal lengths.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Under questioning, Kehler admitted that what and who would define and ascertain that legality was indeed obscure or unknown in situations that did not follow a preconceived "playbook" (such as a massive incoming nuclear attack from Russia).

The Washington Post

Even more interestingly, the study allows you to weight the eleven factors in the way you feel represents a good life, so you can see what countries enjoy what you would define as the good life.

Forbes

"I was having a dialogue with what I would define as my deeper self, or my higher self".

The New Yorker

Firstly, as much as she's probably the most moral character in the book, she's still not exactly what people would define as "good".

The Guardian

Sangamo's approach differs from what some would define as 'true' gene editing — the use of enzymes to rewrite a mutation and correct it to the healthy DNA sequence — instead introducing an entirely new copy of the gene.

Nature

Google is a great money vacuum that sucks out $20,000 million dollars of income from the world economy by, what youngsters would define as, "ownage" of the World Wide Web.

Forbes

Moreover, even small objects commonly not present in the input database may behave as specular reflector at mm-waves due to the smaller wavelength and therefore could contribute also to what we would define SMC [12].

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what would define", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being defined and the criteria or standards being applied. For example, "In the context of project success, what would define a positive outcome?"

Common error

Avoid using "what would define" in excessively broad or vague contexts where the criteria for definition are unclear. Instead, narrow the scope to provide a more precise and meaningful definition. For example, instead of "what would define life?", specify a context like "what would define life on Mars based on current scientific understanding?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what would define" functions as an interrogative phrase used to solicit the criteria or characteristics that establish the meaning or nature of something. Ludwig examples show its use in exploring conditions for success or identifying components of a concept. It is usually used to define a particular thing or situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what would define" serves as an interrogative tool to explore the criteria or characteristics that establish the essence of something. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct. While versatile, it is most frequently found in news, scientific, and general contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. For alternative expressions, consider "what characterizes" or "what determines", which offer similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the context provides a clear understanding of what is being defined and the relevant criteria.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what characterizes

Focuses on the typical or distinguishing traits, shifting from definition to characteristic features.

what determines

Emphasizes the causal factors that decide or control an outcome or state.

what establishes

Highlights the act of setting up or creating a specific standard or condition.

what specifies

Centers on the detailing or particularizing of conditions or requirements.

what identifies

Stresses the act of recognizing or pointing out distinct features.

what constitutes

Emphasizes the elements or components that form a whole or define a concept.

how to characterize

Shifts the focus to the method or approach of describing something.

how to determine

Focuses on the method of finding something out.

what marks

Focuses on the specific aspects used to be able to note something

what distinguishes

Highlights the unique traits that set something apart from others.

FAQs

How can I use "what would define" in a sentence?

Use "what would define" to explore the conditions or characteristics that determine a particular outcome or state. For example, "What would define success in this marketing campaign?" or "What would define a major breach of contract?"

What can I say instead of "what would define"?

You can use alternatives like "what characterizes", "what determines", or "what establishes" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "what defines" or "what would define"?

"What defines" is generally used to describe a current or general state, while "what would define" is used to explore hypothetical or future conditions. For example, "What defines a good leader?" (general quality) vs. "What would define a successful negotiation outcome?" (future scenario).

What's the difference between "what would define" and "how to define"?

"What would define" seeks to identify the criteria or characteristics, whereas "how to define" focuses on the method or process of creating a definition. For instance, "What would define a 'smart city'?" explores the attributes, while "How to define 'sustainable development'" looks at the approach to creating a definition.