a distinct item

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distinct item" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is clearly separate or different from other items in a particular context. Example: "In the inventory list, each product is categorized as a distinct item to avoid confusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Gossiping is an extensively investigated information dissemination process in which each processor has a distinct item of information and has to collect all the items possessed by the other processors.

Information and Computation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, although the human nature in Socrates is a numerically distinct item from the human nature in Plato, insofar as it is human nature, it is formally, in fact, specifically the same nature, for it is human nature, and not another, specifically different, say, feline or canine nature.

SEP

Bar graphs that show comparison usually assign a bar to each distinct item in a group, such as types of movies or manufacturers of cars.[5] Bar graphs that compare aspects of continuous data, such as height or weight, usually assign bars to smaller ranges within the overall ranges; these types of bar graphs are called histograms.[6][7].

WikiHow

Each option to one question is treated as an independent and distinct item.

BMC Public Health

a Synoptic Value entry is created for each distinct item to be selected on a Synoptic Worksheet.

BMC Cancer

The mechanism employs an item bidding interface, where every agent issues a separate bid for the inclusion of each distinct item in the outcome; the k items with the highest sums of bids are then chosen.

Theoretical Computer Science

The block sorting problem is the problem of minimizing the number of steps to sort a list of distinct items, where a sublist of items which are already in sorted order, called a block, can be moved in one step.

Theoretical Computer Science

We hypothesized that the effect of gender bias at the level of distinct item design features could lead to either an over- or underestimation of reported effect sizes of the gender difference in three-dimensional mental rotation.

Intelligence

Going forward, we evaluated the pain, stiffness and sleep functioning questions as three distinct item sets.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

7. Let (I ) be a set of distinct items.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

Interaction is a relation of distinct items that grip one another if they were not distinct, the event would be an action, not interaction.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distinct item" when you want to emphasize that something is clearly separate and distinguishable from other things. It's suitable for contexts where clarity and differentiation are important.

Common error

Avoid using "distinct" when the item's uniqueness is already implied. For example, saying "a distinct individual item" can be redundant because 'individual' already suggests separateness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distinct item" functions as a noun phrase, where "distinct" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "item". Ludwig AI shows it's typically used to single out and emphasize the uniqueness or separateness of something from a collection.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a distinct item" is grammatically correct but rarely used. Ludwig AI analysis suggests it's most commonly found in scientific, news, and wiki contexts. It serves to clearly differentiate a specific item from others. While alternatives like "a unique item" or "a separate item" exist, "a distinct item" is useful when you want to emphasize the clear separation and identifiability of something. Remember to avoid redundancy by not pairing "distinct" with words that already imply uniqueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a unique item

Emphasizes the singularity and irreplaceability of the item.

a separate item

Highlights the item's independence and lack of connection to others.

an individual item

Focuses on the item as a single, self-contained entity.

a discrete item

Implies a clear and easily distinguishable separation.

a particular item

Singles out the item from a larger group for specific attention.

a singular item

Highlights the item's exceptional or unusual nature.

an independent item

Suggests the item functions autonomously and is not reliant on others.

a detached item

Implies the item is isolated and not connected to a larger system.

a standalone item

Indicates the item can function or be considered on its own.

an isolated item

Stresses the item's separation and lack of interaction with others.

FAQs

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

You can use "a distinct item" to emphasize that something is clearly separate and distinguishable from other things. For example: "In the inventory list, each product is categorized as "a distinct item" to avoid confusion."

What are some alternatives to "a distinct item"?

Alternatives include "a unique item", "a separate item", or "an individual item". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "a distinct individual item"?

Yes, saying "a distinct individual item" can be redundant. The word "individual" already implies separateness, so using "distinct" may not add additional meaning. Consider using just "an individual item".

What's the difference between "a distinct item" and "a unique item"?

"A distinct item" emphasizes the separateness and clarity of something, while "a unique item" emphasizes its one-of-a-kind nature. They are similar, but the specific nuance can vary depending on the context.