Ascribe vs. Describe — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 21, 2024
Ascribe assigns a cause or source to something, while describe involves detailing or explaining characteristics.
Difference Between Ascribe and Describe
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Ascribe is used when attributing a quality, cause, or fact to a person or thing, suggesting a sense of assigning responsibility or origin. Whereas, describe involves conveying a detailed account or picture of something, focusing more on the representation than causality.
When one ascribes intentions to someone, they are implying that certain motives are behind an action. On the other hand, to describe someone's actions is to detail what they did, without necessarily attributing motives.
In legal or formal contexts, ascribe can be essential for establishing accountability or origins, for instance, ascribing fault in a car accident. Describe, however, is used more broadly in such settings to provide clear, detailed reports without assigning blame.
Writers often use ascribe to connect characters or events to certain traits or outcomes, creating a narrative causality. Conversely, describe is employed to craft vivid imagery or deep character insights without implying causality.
In scientific writing, ascribing characteristics to a species involves linking specific traits to evolutionary or ecological causes. In contrast, describing a species would entail outlining its physical appearance, habitat, and behavior comprehensively.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To attribute something as being due
To give a detailed account
Focus
Origin or cause
Characteristics or features
Usage Context
Often used in formal analyses
Common in everyday and technical descriptions
Implication
Suggests responsibility or cause
Neutral, focused on detailing
Outcome
Establishes connection or blame
Provides understanding or visualization
Compare with Definitions
Ascribe
To regard a quality as characteristic of.
She ascribed her endurance to years of experience.
Describe
To give an account of in words.
He described his journey through the mountains.
Ascribe
To attribute something to a cause.
They ascribed the team's success to their rigorous training.
Describe
To sketch or outline.
He described the design with careful attention to detail.
Ascribe
To link a work or remark to a particular author.
This poem is ascribed to Homer.
Describe
To use adjectives or adverbs for detail.
The witness described the suspect very clearly.
Ascribe
To assign credit or blame.
He ascribed his failure to the lack of support.
Describe
To represent verbally.
The article describes the plight of endangered species.
Ascribe
To consider as belonging to.
Scholars ascribe these ancient manuscripts to the late medieval period.
Describe
To detail the characteristics of someone or something.
She described the new model as state-of-the-art.
Ascribe
Regard something as being due to (a cause)
He ascribed Jane's short temper to her upset stomach
Describe
To give an account of in speech or writing
Describe a sea voyage.
Ascribe
To regard as arising from a specified cause or source
"Other people ascribe his exclusion from the canon to an unsubtle form of racism" (Daniel Pinchbeck).
Describe
To convey an idea or impression of; characterize
She described her childhood as a time of wonder and discovery.
Ascribe
To regard as belonging to or produced by a specified agent, place, or time
Ascribed the poem to Shakespeare.
Describe
To represent pictorially; depict
Goya's etchings describe the horrors of war in grotesque detail.
Ascribe
(transitive) To attribute a cause or characteristic to someone or something.
One may ascribe these problems to the federal government; however, at this stage it is unclear what caused them.
Describe
To trace the form or outline of
Describe a circle with a compass.
Ascribe
(transitive) To attribute a book, painting or any work of art or literature to a writer or creator.
It is arguable as to whether we can truly ascribe this play to Shakespeare.
Describe
(transitive) To represent in words.
The feeling is difficult to describe, but not unpleasant.
The geographer describes countries and cities.
Several witnesses describe seeing lights in the sky that night.
Ascribe
To believe in or agree with; subscribe.
Describe
(transitive) To represent by drawing; to draw a plan of; to delineate; to trace or mark out.
To describe a circle by the compasses;
A torch waved about the head in such a way as to describe a circle
Ascribe
To attribute, impute, or refer, as to a cause; as, his death was ascribed to a poison; to ascribe an effect to the right cause; to ascribe such a book to such an author.
The finest [speech] that is ascribed to Satan in the whole poem.
Describe
To give rise to a geometrical structure.
The function describes a very complex surface.
Ascribe
To attribute, as a quality, or an appurtenance; to consider or allege to belong.
More than good-will to me attribute naught.
Ascribes his gettings to his parts and merit.
And fairly quit him of the imputed blame.
Describe
To introduce a new taxon to science by explaining its characteristics and particularly how it differs from other taxa.
The fungus was first described by a botanist.
Ascribe
Attribute or credit to;
We attributed this quotation to Shakespeare
People impute great cleverness to cats
Describe
(obsolete) To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off; to class.
Describe
To represent by drawing; to draw a plan of; to delineate; to trace or mark out; as, to describe a circle by the compasses; a torch waved about the head in such a way as to describe a circle.
Describe
To represent by words written or spoken; to give an account of; to make known to others by words or signs; as, the geographer describes countries and cities.
Describe
To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off; to class.
Passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book.
Describe
To use the faculty of describing; to give a description; as, Milton describes with uncommon force and beauty.
Describe
Give a description of;
He drew an elaborate plan of attack
Describe
To give an account or representation of in words;
Discreet Italian police described it in a manner typically continental
Describe
Identify as in botany or biology, for example
Describe
Make a mark or lines on a surface;
Draw a line
Trace the outline of a figure in the sand
Common Curiosities
What role does "describe" play in scientific research?
In scientific research, describe is crucial for documenting observations, experiments, and results in a clear and detailed manner, which is essential for reproducibility and validation.
In what contexts might one use "describe" outside of literature?
Describe is widely used in various contexts, including scientific writing, journalistic reporting, personal narratives, and everyday conversation to convey detailed information.
What are the limitations of using "describe" in communication?
The limitations of using describe include potential ambiguity or lack of clarity if not enough detail is provided or if the listener or reader lacks the necessary background information.
Is "ascribe" relevant in legal contexts?
Yes, ascribe is relevant in legal contexts where determining the cause or source of actions, liabilities, or rights is necessary, such as in copyright or liability cases.
How can using "describe" incorrectly impact communication?
Incorrect use of describe, such as under-describing or over-describing, can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the intended message.
How does the use of "ascribe" differ between scientific and literary texts?
In scientific texts, ascribe is used more rigidly to link phenomena to scientific theories or evidence, while in literary texts, it may be used more creatively to suggest metaphorical or symbolic attributions.
What are effective strategies for using "describe" in descriptive writing?
Effective strategies include using vivid imagery, precise adjectives, and varied sentence structures to create a compelling and immersive description.
Can "ascribe" be used interchangeably with "attribute"?
Yes, in many contexts, ascribe and attribute are interchangeable, especially when referring to the assignment of qualities or causes to something.
How does "ascribe" enhance understanding in historical analysis?
In historical analysis, ascribe is used to connect events, phenomena, or actions to their possible causes or origins, thereby enhancing understanding of historical motives and consequences.
What are the consequences of misusing "ascribe"?
Misusing ascribe can lead to inaccuracies in understanding relationships or causes, potentially resulting in false assumptions or unjust attributions.
Is "ascribe" commonly used in everyday language?
Ascribe is less common in casual conversation and is more frequently used in formal, academic, or literary contexts.
Why might one choose to use "ascribe" instead of "describe" in academic writing?
One might choose ascribe over describe in academic writing to specifically point out causal relationships or origins rather than merely detailing characteristics.
What is a common mistake people make when using "describe"?
A common mistake is providing either too much or too little detail, either overwhelming the reader or leaving too much ambiguity.
Can "describe" influence perceptions?
Yes, the way something is described can significantly influence perceptions by framing how information is received and interpreted by others.
How can one improve their use of "ascribe" in analytical writing?
Improving use of ascribe in analytical writing involves clearly justifying the linkage between phenomena and their purported causes, supported by evidence or logical reasoning.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
