a distinct element of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distinct element of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific part or feature that is clearly identifiable within a larger context. Example: "Trust is a distinct element of successful teamwork, as it fosters open communication and collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Ever since Deng Xiaoping, China had become steadily more receptive to the outside world, but there was still a distinct element of fear and insecurity.

The New Yorker

Characteristically, the organisation of the event had a distinct element of Complicite anarchy: "The poor production management walked out about five times, because it was such chaos," says McBurney.

The Guardian

Since there may be an interval of five years between this survey and the appearance of the new car in the dealers' showrooms, there is a distinct element of risk, as illustrated by the Ford Motor Company's Edsel of the late 1950s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They form a distinct element of the Quaternary landscape of Western Rajasthan, India.

Quaternary International

As with any agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm, the exact linkage algorithm begins with n terminal nodes, each of which is labelled with a distinct element of the label set S of the sample.

Heredity

If we have a rooted binary tree with n terminal nodes (external nodes, tips or leaves), each of which is labelled with a distinct element of the label set S of the sample, then each of the n - 1 internal nodes of this tree specifies a subset (containing 2 or more elements) of the label set S. Included among these subsets is the set S itself, which is the set specified by the root node.

Heredity

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Numerical experiments are carried out using a distinct element model of a masonry wall where masonry blocks are explicitly taken into account.

International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences

A domain is defined as a distinct element (or topic) of tinnitus such as how loud or how emotionally distressing a patient may find his or her tinnitus.

BMJ Open

In some ways the announcements that farming, and possibly chemists too are being sold is not a threat to this position as they were not a particularly distinct element of the "ethical brand" story.

The Guardian - Opinion

The eighth of the nine Vaiśeṣika types of substance is 'self' (ātman), defined as the substratum of mental states such as believing, knowing, etc. (The ninth is 'mind' (manas), a distinct element in the ontology of the mental).

SEP

Thus, we coded for the frequency and extent of questions asked by the incoming physicians, treating questions as a distinct element, not overlapping with any of the other standard elements.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distinct element of" to clearly identify a specific, recognizable part or feature within a broader context. This helps to highlight its individual importance or characteristics.

Common error

Avoid using "a distinct element of" in very casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases might be more appropriate in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distinct element of" functions as a noun phrase complement, identifying a specific, recognizable component within a larger entity. As supported by Ludwig's examples, this construction serves to pinpoint a particular aspect or feature within a given context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a distinct element of" serves to highlight a specific, identifiable component within a broader context. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness. Though not exceedingly common, it finds frequent use in scientific and news-related publications, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, this phrase is a good choice to isolate components, though it is important to consider more informal alternatives for casual communication. Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase's versatility across various subjects and contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a unique aspect of

Replaces "element" with "aspect", emphasizing a particular feature or side of something.

a separate component of

Substitutes "element" with "component", highlighting the part's separateness within a larger whole.

a particular feature of

Replaces "distinct element" with "particular feature", focusing on a notable characteristic.

a notable characteristic of

Emphasizes the characteristic nature of the element.

a specific aspect of

Replaces "distinct" with "specific", indicating a clearly defined aspect.

an individual component of

Highlights the individuality of the element.

a discrete part of

Uses "discrete" to stress the element's distinctness and separability.

a singular facet of

Emphasizes the unique and individual nature of the facet.

a clear attribute of

Focuses on the attribute as a noticeable feature.

a marked trait of

Highlights the noticeable quality or characteristic of the element.

FAQs

How can I use "a distinct element of" in a sentence?

Use "a distinct element of" to highlight a specific, identifiable component within a larger concept or system. For example: "Trust is "a distinct element of" successful teamwork".

What are some alternatives to "a distinct element of"?

You can use alternatives like "a unique aspect of", "a separate component of", or "a particular feature of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "a distinct element of" compared to "a part of"?

Yes, "a distinct element of" generally carries a more formal tone than the simpler phrase "a part of". It suggests a more careful and analytical approach.

What's the difference between "a distinct element of" and "a distinguishing element of"?

"A distinct element of" refers to a specific component, while "a distinguishing element of" highlights a component that sets something apart from others. The latter emphasizes differentiation.