description of appearance vs describing appearance

Both phrases are correct and can be used interchangeably depending on the context. 'Description of appearance' is more formal and can be used in written documents or academic contexts, while 'describing appearance' is more commonly used in everyday speech.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 936 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in formal contexts or written documents.

"description of appearance"

This phrase is used to refer to a detailed account or explanation of how someone or something looks.

Examples:

The police asked for a description of the suspect's appearance.
The book provides a detailed description of the appearance of the main character.

Show examples from the web [+]

< Visual description of the appearance of the product >
The functional observational battery includes a thorough description of the subject's appearance, behaviour and functional integrity.
The new rules will also ensure that consumers are not misled by the appearance, description or pictorial presentation of food packaging.
The new rules will also ensure that consumers are not misled by the appearance, description or pictorial presentation of food packaging.
a description of the complete set of appearances of the GSIs which are fitted on vehicles being part of the vehicle type with regard to GSI, and evidence of their compliance with the requirements of point 1;
A more detailed description of the rind as, traditionally, the outer appearance of this cheese may be whitish rather than yellow.
This wording is intended to improve the description of the cheese: the size and weight and the appearance of the rind and the inside of the cheese have been specified.
Sexual obsession and a description of the crime scene.
Description of the Echevarria girl's car.
Description of monitoring plans and techniques.
Description of symptoms is provided in section II.1.
Description of Fishery - Aquaculture products:...
Description of insulation levels of components...
Where applicable, a description of adjusted and new coordination mechanisms.
Even the Commission approved programming documents including descriptions of these systems.
They shall include a description of the vehicle tested including unambiguous identification.
Description of payment facility arrangements: ...
A description of preventative security measures and training.
Description of performance monitoring arrangements; overview of key indicators measuring progress.
For description of symptoms see Section II.1.

Alternatives:

description of looks
depiction of appearance
account of appearance
narrative of appearance
explanation of appearance

This phrase is correct and commonly used in everyday speech.

"describing appearance"

This phrase is used to indicate the action of explaining or detailing how someone or something looks.

Examples:

She is good at describing appearance in her stories.
The artist spent hours describing the appearance of the landscape.

Show examples from the web [+]

On the same day, EE submitted a further expert opinion describing possible factors that might have caused the appearance of VOID signs on the seal. EE replied to the Letter of Facts on 6 July 2007.
Do you recall describing yourself that way in a videotaped appearance?

Alternatives:

explaining appearance
detailing appearance
depicting appearance
talking about appearance
discussing appearance

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description of appearance vs describing appearance

"description of appearance"

"describing appearance"

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