a characteristic trait of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a characteristic trait of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific quality or feature that is typical of a person, group, or thing. Example: "Honesty is a characteristic trait of a good leader."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But, yes, I agree with it having been a characteristic trait of Iraqis living under Saddam — probably necessarily so.

The New Yorker

First, they have rather a narrow linear range of determination and it is a characteristic trait of urease-based biosensors, which are used in urea assays.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Our data indicate that the MVA pathway is a characteristic trait of Plantae in general and propose that it was specifically lost in a common ancestor of Chlorophyta.

Gene

A characteristic trait of mobile interfaces is the utilization of predefined ViewContainers devoted to specific functionalities that are provided at the operating system (including Notifications area and Settings panel).

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Each trophic link that has a slope equal to −1 (−45°) has consumer and resource of equal biomass B, a characteristic trait of steady-state systems.

Plosone

The propensity for early invasion and metastasis is a characteristic trait of pancreas tumors, such that we were prompted to explore palladin expression in samples of pancreatic cancer metastases to lymph nodes and liver to determine if palladin is upregulated in the tumor cells or the TAFs in these samples.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

For bipolar manic-depressives, eveningness (e.g., sleep phase delay) is a characteristic trait partly independent of mood state.

F1000Research

As we have recently argued at some length elsewhere, however, the original prototypical (founding) definition of schizophrenia was not based on a number of specific psychotic symptoms but rather relied on the identification of a characteristic trait or gestalt, predominantly marked by peculiarities or strangeness in the expressive, communicative, and symbolic spaces.

Harvard Review of Psychiatry

But "revisionism" has a characteristic trait: it is typically in the business of denying the obvious and uncovering conspiracies.

The New York Times

The characteristic trait of malignant forms was an extensive polymorphism of cell nuclei and their hyperchromasia (Fig. 6).

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Inflammation is the characteristic trait of the pathophysiology of OSAS and represents a pathway linking human OSAS patients with increased cardiovascular morbidity [ 10, 11].

BMC Veterinary Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a characteristic trait of", ensure that the trait you're describing is genuinely representative and not merely an occasional occurrence. Provide evidence or examples to support your claim for greater clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a characteristic trait of" when the trait applies only to a subset of the group or item you're discussing. Overgeneralizing can lead to inaccurate or misleading statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a characteristic trait of" functions as a descriptive element, typically used to identify or highlight a notable quality or attribute associated with a specific subject. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

19%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a characteristic trait of" is a versatile phrase used to describe a notable quality associated with a person, thing, or group. Ludwig shows that it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in both formal and informal contexts, especially science and news media. Alternative phrases include "a defining characteristic of", "a typical attribute of", and "a hallmark feature of". When employing this phrase, ensure the trait genuinely represents the subject to avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a defining characteristic of

Replaces "trait" with "characteristic" and "characteristic" with "defining", emphasizing that the trait is central and essential.

a typical attribute of

Substitutes "characteristic" with "typical" and "trait" with "attribute", suggesting that the trait is common and representative.

a hallmark feature of

Replaces "characteristic trait" with "hallmark feature", indicating that the trait is distinctive and recognizable.

a distinguishing quality of

Changes "characteristic" to "distinguishing" and "trait" to "quality", highlighting that the trait sets something apart.

a common property of

Replaces "characteristic" with "common" and "trait" with "property", suggesting that the trait is widespread among members of a group.

a representative feature of

Substitutes "characteristic" with "representative" and "trait" with "feature", indicating that the trait is typical and exemplifies a larger category.

a defining aspect of

Replaces "characteristic trait" with "defining aspect", emphasizing that the trait is an integral part of something.

an inherent attribute of

Substitutes "characteristic" with "inherent" and "trait" with "attribute", suggesting that the trait is innate and essential.

a notable feature of

Changes "characteristic" to "notable" and "trait" to "feature", highlighting that the trait is significant and worth mentioning.

a prominent characteristic of

Substitutes "trait" with "characteristic", indicating that the characteristic is noticeable and stands out.

FAQs

What does "a characteristic trait of" mean?

The phrase "a characteristic trait of" refers to a quality, feature, or behavior that is typical and easily recognizable in a particular person, thing, or group.

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

You can use it to describe something that is typical for a subject. For example, "Patience is "a characteristic trait of" effective teachers".

What are some alternatives to "a characteristic trait of"?

Alternatives include "a defining characteristic of", "a typical attribute of", or "a hallmark feature of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "characteristic trait" or "typical trait"?

"Characteristic trait" is generally preferred when emphasizing a distinctive quality. "Typical trait" is suitable when describing a common or representative feature. The best choice depends on the specific context.