grammar · academic

be characterized by + noun / V-ing

/bi ˈkærəktəraɪzd baɪ/be CHAR·ac·ter·ized by

Band 7+task1task2speaking

used to describe the main features or qualities of something

Examples

“The period was characterized by rapid social change.”

“Rural communities are often characterized by strong social ties.”

“The new policy is characterized by a focus on sustainability.”

Band 8 sentence

“Contemporary urban life is often characterized by a high degree of anonymity and rapid mobility.”

Collocations

  • characterized by + rapid + noun
  • be commonly/typically characterized by

Common mistakes

is caracterized by→is characterized by

is characterized for + noun→is characterized by + noun

Say it for a higher band

5is characterized for→6is marked by→7+is characterized by

Synonyms

be marked by

be typified by

Easily confused

be marked by

“The event was marked by sudden protests.”

Related words

had been + past participlebe + past participleto have been + past participlebe used to + Vbe + past participle + by + agentnoun + past participle (reduced relative clause)be seen as + noun / adjectivehave/has been + past participle

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