working on defining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working on defining" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is often used to describe the process of determining the meaning or criteria of something. For example: "The marketing team is working on defining key metrics for assessing product success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"If you listen to my first album, the songs were very deep house and more based in instruments and vocals; I was still working on defining my style.

The Guardian - Music

Since then, groups have been working on defining the criteria for meaningful use.

Forbes

Hip Arthroplasty, Melanoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas had completed their implementation phase, and the MTs were working on defining the quality indicators to begin monitoring.

BMC Health Services Research

However, the aforementioned RDF databases used different application-oriented ontologies, so our community is working on defining the set of properties and classes to be used in an RDF representation of orthology.

Bioinformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In terms of third-party mediation the Syrians are in favour of indirect talks through Turkey, which has already worked on defining the 1967 border.

The Guardian - Opinion

While the palm oil industry and the Malaysian government works on defining sustainable palm oil, I hope they will take more effective measures to ensure that dipterocarpus coriaceus, will be the last thing to go extinct in Malaysia.

Huffington Post

Most cell biologists like to work on defined proteins or periodic structures that allow experimental rigor by established criteria.

eLife

Since the 1960s the ILAE have worked on defining, classifying and agreeing on the terminology used in human epilepsy [ 8– 14].

BMC Veterinary Research

Just as most work on defining SBs focuses on two genomes at a time, so is whole-genome alignment usually done pairwise.

Bioinformatics

This is illustrated by initiatives in the United Kingdom on salt reduction and labelling (Food Standards Agency, 2005, 2009), and in Europe and Australia, where legislative bodies work on defining nutrient criteria for foods that are eligible to carry a health claim (Food Standards Australia New Zealand, 2007; EU Regulation (EC), 2007).

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Things they work on are well defined.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "working on defining" when you want to emphasize the ongoing and iterative nature of the definition process. It implies that the definition is not yet final and is still under development.

Common error

Don't use "working on defining" when the definition is already well-established or universally understood. In such cases, a more direct phrase like "using the definition of" or "applying the concept of" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working on defining" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes an activity in progress, indicating that the process of establishing a clear and precise definition is underway. Ludwig's examples confirm this use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "working on defining" is a gerund phrase used to describe the ongoing process of establishing the meaning or scope of something. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in both scientific and general contexts. While it is more frequent in scientific and news-related content, its neutral to professional register makes it suitable for various discussions where clarity and precision are key. When using this phrase, remember to emphasize the iterative nature of the definition process and avoid using it when the definition is already well-established.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developing a definition for

Changes the verb from a continuous action to a more static state, focusing on the result.

establishing the meaning of

Replaces "defining" with "establishing the meaning," offering a more formal tone.

refining the concept of

Emphasizes the improvement of an existing concept rather than its initial creation.

clarifying the definition of

Highlights the act of making a definition clearer, implying potential ambiguity beforehand.

working to establish

Shifts the focus to the effort of establishing something, rather than the act of defining.

creating a clear definition of

Focuses on the creation of a clear and understandable definition.

in the process of defining

Adds emphasis to the ongoing nature of the defining activity.

attempting to define

Suggests an effort to define, which may or may not be successful.

shaping the definition of

Implies a gradual formation of a definition, suggesting influence or manipulation.

formulating a definition for

Focuses on the systematic and precise expression of a definition.

FAQs

How can I use "working on defining" in a sentence?

You can use "working on defining" to describe an ongoing process of establishing the meaning or scope of something. For example, "The committee is working on defining the new company policy."

What are some alternatives to "working on defining"?

Alternatives include "developing a definition for", "establishing the meaning of", or "refining the concept of", depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "working on defining"?

No, it's more appropriate when the definition is still in progress. If the definition is already clear, using phrases like "applying the definition" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "working on defining" and "defining"?

"Working on defining" suggests an ongoing process, while "defining" implies a more definitive or completed action. Use "working on defining" when the task is not yet finished.