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Prepositions after describe

“Describe as” or “describe in”?

Use describe as to classify or characterise someone or something. Use describe in when referring to language, style, or level of detail.

Quick answer

Describe as gives a label; describe in gives a medium or manner

Describe as is used for opinions, roles, or categories: describe someone as helpful. Describe in usually refers to language, detail, or terms: describe the process in detail, describe it in simple words.

Critics described the film as groundbreaking.
The guide described the route in detail.
She described him as reliable and calm.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
describe someone/something as + noun/adjective

Giving a classification or opinion

As introduces the role, category, or quality assigned.

Witnesses described the man as tall and quiet.
The report described the policy as ineffective.
2
describe in + detail/language/style

Explaining the manner or medium of description

In is used with detail, terms, words, or languages.

The manual describes the procedure in simple language.
She described the scene in vivid detail.
3
describe to + person

Naming the listener

To introduces the person receiving the description.

Can you describe the suspect to the police officer?

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
describe as
They described the project as ambitious.
Correct for assigning a quality or category.
describe in
The witness described the event in detail.
Correct for the manner or language of description.
describe with
She described the room with great precision.
Possible when naming a tool, feature, or quality accompanying the description.
describe about
The phrase “describe about” is nonstandard in this meaning.
Use “describe” directly or “describe in detail” instead.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using in instead of as for classification

Use as when giving a label or judgement.

✕ They described the plan in unrealistic. ✓ They described the plan as unrealistic.

Adding an unnecessary preposition

Describe usually takes a direct object without about.

✕ She described about the accident. ✓ She described the accident.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Reviewers described the restaurant ___ excellent.
2. The scientist described the process ___ detail.
3. Can you describe the device ___ me?

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Frequently asked questions

Can I say “describe as being”?

Yes. For example: “He was described as being extremely careful.”

Is “describe in detail” fixed?

Yes. It is a very common expression for giving thorough information.

Why is “describe about” incorrect?

Describe already includes the idea of explaining something, so about is unnecessary.

dabble, in, dabble, with "damage to" or "damage by"? dance to, with, on, in or for? "dangle from" or "dangle in"? dare to, for, on, as or at? dash to, into, out, from or on? daydream about, for, in, of or on? "debate in", "debate on" or "debate with"? deceive by, in, into, on or about? "decide on", "decide to" or "decide by"? declare in, by, on, to or as? decline in, by, from, to or for?

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