Characterized By: Standard Pattern
Characterized By: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.
Use “characterized by” to identify a typical, defining, or distinguishing quality or feature of someone or something.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| identify a typical, defining, or distinguishing feature | characterized by + noun/-ing | use “by” to introduce the feature |
| use active “characterize” with the feature as subject | X characterizes Y | choose active voice when it reads more directly |
Quick tests
Feature test
Are you naming the feature that distinguishes the subject?
If yes: Use “characterized by.”
If no: If the feature itself is the grammatical subject, an active “characterizes” sentence may be clearer.
Caveat: “Characterized by” identifies a feature; it does not necessarily imply that the feature is exclusive.
Examples
The region is characterized by steep valleys and short rivers.
“By” introduces the distinguishing features.
Frequent revisions characterize the early design phase.
The active version can be more direct.
The style is characterized with short sentences.
Better: The style is characterized by short sentences.
Use “characterized by” for the defining-feature relation.
Further guidance
Construction
Use “characterized by” to identify a typical, defining, or distinguishing quality or feature of someone or something.
Style Boundary
“Characterize” also supports other constructions, including “characterize something as something.” This page covers the passive “characterized by” pattern only.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- CHARACTERIZE | English meaning — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct Cambridge dictionary evidence for the passive “characterized by” pattern identifying a typical quality or feature.