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What defines you? vs What define you?

The correct phrase is 'what defines you?' This is the correct form of the question when asking about the qualities or characteristics that make up a person's identity. 'What define you?' is incorrect because 'define' should be in the third person singular form, 'defines,' to match the subject 'what.'

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 974 views

What defines you?

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to ask about the qualities or characteristics that make up a person's identity.

Examples:

  • What defines you as a person?
  • I am curious about what defines you.
  • Can you tell me what defines you?
  • Understanding what defines you is important.
  • She asked me, 'What defines you?'
  • But it's not what defines me, you know?
  • ...that you can add a keyboard shortcut for any action you define? Just go to Settings > Configure Shortcuts.
  • Your Mexicanness is what defines you, to me, and I think we should celebrate Oscar's Mexicanity.
  • Remember what I said... don't let this define you, OK?
  • Firstly, how do we define terrorism?
  • That's what defines you, how you deal with it.
  • - How do you define success?
  • Have you heard Data define friendship?
  • How else does our generation define itself?
  • How exactly does the Church define heresy?
  • How does the Council actually define employment?
  • But what is it? Define it.
  • Thirdly, how do we define integration capacity?
  • Then how would you like to define it?
  • What is it that defines us?
  • Do you know how science defines life?
  • Or do we not need to define innovation?
  • What data will be used in order to define them?
  • Perhaps we need them because without these deviations, how would we define ourselves?
  • How do you organize a life with no death to define it?

What define you?

This phrase is incorrect in English.

  • But it's not what defines me, you know?
  • ...that you can add a keyboard shortcut for any action you define? Just go to Settings > Configure Shortcuts.
  • Your Mexicanness is what defines you, to me, and I think we should celebrate Oscar's Mexicanity.
  • Remember what I said... don't let this define you, OK?
  • Firstly, how do we define terrorism?
  • That's what defines you, how you deal with it.
  • - How do you define success?
  • Have you heard Data define friendship?
  • How else does our generation define itself?
  • How exactly does the Church define heresy?
  • How does the Council actually define employment?
  • But what is it? Define it.
  • Thirdly, how do we define integration capacity?
  • Then how would you like to define it?
  • What is it that defines us?
  • Do you know how science defines life?
  • Or do we not need to define innovation?
  • What data will be used in order to define them?
  • Perhaps we need them because without these deviations, how would we define ourselves?
  • How do you organize a life with no death to define it?

Alternatives:

  • What defines you?
  • What describes you?
  • What characterizes you?
  • What makes you who you are?
  • What shapes your identity?

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