a distinct body

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distinct body" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a separate or unique entity, often in contexts such as discussions about organizations, groups, or physical entities. Example: "The research focused on a distinct body of literature that addresses climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

It's not a great amount, but it's enough to be growing into a distinct body of work.

The New York Times - Arts

A distinct body reorientation strategy during steering tasks has been reported in young adults.

Gait & Posture

The activity of policing preceded the creation of the police as a distinct body by thousands of years.

Britannica

The man can write a classic rock song every time he blinks, then imbue it with enough personality and recording-studio anti-technique to make it part of a distinct body of work.

The New York Times - Arts

The derivation of the word police from the Greek polis, meaning "city," reflects the fact that protopolice were essentially creatures of the city, to the limited extent that they existed as a distinct body.

Britannica

Others, such as prairie potholes of central North America and Carolina bays (elliptical depressions) of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, are fed mostly by precipitation or groundwater and are not associated with a distinct body of water.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

To demonstrate the adaptability of the system, Hecker pulled up a collection of a dozen Spore creatures on his monitor, each with a strikingly distinct body architecture.

The New York Times - Magazine

The army's first engineer officers were appointed by George Washington in 1775, and in 1802 the Corps of Engineers was created as a permanent, distinct body.

Britannica

Sexual assault is a delicate, distinct body of jurisprudence that takes special training which military commanders presently do not have.

Huffington Post

She regularly uses exhibition materials as the basis for books, creating an entirely distinct body of work and setting up an extended dialogue between experiences that happen in public (the gallery or the museum) and those that happen in private (reading or looking at home).

The New York Times - Arts

A related but distinct body of literature has considered the environmental efficiency of well-being, also referred to as the ecological intensity of well-being.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a distinct body", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the subject separate or unique from other similar entities.

Common error

Avoid using "a distinct body" when the distinctness is already implied by the noun. For example, instead of saying "a distinct body of water", consider simply saying "a lake" or "a pond" if the context makes it clear that it's a separate entity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distinct body" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by the adjective "distinct". It serves to identify a particular entity that is separate and distinguishable from others. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a distinct body" is grammatically sound and commonly used to describe something separate and distinguishable. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and utility in various contexts. It appears frequently in scientific, news, and encyclopedia sources, indicating a formal or neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the context makes it clear what sets the subject apart. Alternatives include "a separate entity" or "a unique formation", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoiding redundancy is key to effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a separate entity

Emphasizes the separateness or individuality of the subject.

a unique formation

Highlights the uniqueness and structure of the subject.

an individual unit

Stresses the singular and self-contained nature of the subject.

a discrete element

Focuses on the distinct and distinguishable character of the subject.

a particular group

Indicates a specific and identifiable collection or set.

a specialized unit

Highlights the unique function or purpose of the subject.

a self-contained whole

Emphasizes the completeness and independence of the subject.

an autonomous body

Highlights the independence and self-governing nature of the subject.

a demarcated area

Focuses on the clearly defined boundaries or limits of the subject.

a well-defined system

Emphasizes the structured and organized nature of the subject.

FAQs

How can I use "a distinct body" in a sentence?

You can use "a distinct body" to refer to something that is separate and distinguishable from others. For example: "The research focused on "a distinct body" of literature."

What's the difference between "a distinct body" and "a separate entity"?

"A distinct body" often implies a more structured or organized entity, while "a separate entity" simply highlights that something is not connected to something else. The choice depends on the specific context.

What can I say instead of "a distinct body"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a separate entity", "a unique formation", or "an individual unit".

Is it always necessary to use "a" before "distinct body"?

In most cases, yes. The article "a" is necessary when referring to a single, non-specific instance of a distinct body. If you're referring to the concept in general, you might omit the article, but this is less common.