a characteristic of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a characteristic of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to one of the features or qualities that describes something. For example, "Integrity is a characteristic of a successful leader."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a characteristic of emotionally healthy and intelligent individuals.

Huffington Post

"That's a characteristic of Chinese manufacturers".

The New York Times

What is a characteristic of Quest tales?

The New York Times

"It's never been a characteristic of America.

The Washington Post

So that's a characteristic of modern society.

University of California, Berkeley

"It's a characteristic of the great actors".

The New York Times

That was a characteristic of the plague back then.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Such warnings are a characteristic of ETA bombings.

The New York Times

Ardent nationalism emerged as a characteristic of Swedish Romanticism.

Britannica

Passion, after all, is a characteristic of Italians, he said.

The New York Times - Sports

That was also a characteristic of Mr. Olbermann at MSNBC.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing multiple characteristics, consider using a bulleted list or numbered points for clarity and readability.

Common error

Avoid using "characteristic" as the sole subject of a sentence without proper context. Instead of saying "Characteristic is important", specify what possesses the characteristic, such as "Patience is a characteristic of a good teacher".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a characteristic of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, specifying one of its typical or defining features. Ludwig AI confirms this, as the phrase is used to attribute qualities to various subjects, as shown in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a characteristic of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a typical or defining attribute of something. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts. It is prevalent in formal and neutral registers, especially within news, science, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, ensure that the subject possessing the characteristic is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as ""a feature of"" or ""a trait of"" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a feature of

Emphasizes a prominent or noticeable aspect, often suggesting something easily observed.

a trait of

Highlights an inherent quality or distinguishing factor, often related to personality or behavior.

a property of

Focuses on an inherent quality or attribute, especially in scientific or technical contexts.

an attribute of

Stresses a quality or characteristic that is considered to be a natural part of something or someone.

a hallmark of

Suggests a distinctive and recognizable feature that is strongly associated with something.

an element of

Refers to a component or aspect that is essential or typical of something.

a sign of

Implies that something indicates or points to a particular quality or condition.

a mark of

Similar to "a sign of", but emphasizes a more lasting or significant indication.

a symbol of

Indicates that something represents or stands for a particular quality or concept.

an indication of

Suggests that something provides evidence or signals the presence of a particular quality or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "a characteristic of" in a sentence?

Use "a characteristic of" to describe a typical feature or quality. For example, "High intelligence is "a characteristic of" successful scientists".

What is a synonym for "a characteristic of"?

Alternatives include "a feature of", "a trait of", or "a property of". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is more formal, "a characteristic of" or "a feature of"?

"A characteristic of" tends to be slightly more formal than "a feature of", but both are acceptable in most formal writing.

What's the difference between "a characteristic of" and "an example of"?

"A characteristic of" describes a typical attribute, while "an example of" provides a specific instance. For example, "Honesty is "a characteristic of" good leadership", whereas "Nelson Mandela is "an example of" a good leader".