a distinct quality of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distinct quality of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a unique or special quality of something. For example: "The park has a distinct quality of tranquility which makes it a pleasant place to relax."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Both possessed a distinct quality of remoteness, an important sense of distance, far from the excessively cultivated and commercial metropolitan centre and from the predictably picturesque 'guidebook' imagery of the countryside popular in the years following the end of the Great War".

The Guardian - Arts

A distinct quality of depressed mood was present in 100% of the MDE group; but 85% of the ADE group also experienced this symptom.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Yet SPK offers distinct quality-of-life (QOL) benefits: freedom from self-administered insulin, more stable blood glucose levels, and no risk of hypoglycemia (7– 9).

Diabetes Care

Everything she made was marked by it, and the distinct quality of that tone is certainly what led to the accusation, true enough, that she was at risk sometimes of self-caricature.

The New Yorker

The presence of the MDE-specific criteria of lack of reactivity to usually pleasurable stimuli and distinct quality of depressed mood predicted the diagnosis of MDE.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

This merging of community interests and community action reflects another distinct quality of CBPR: its commitment to advocacy for the public good and creating open access to information.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Weak relationships existed with marked psychomotor retardation or agitation (r = 0.37, p = 0.002), significant anorexia or weight loss (r = 0.33, p = 0.006), depression worse in the morning (r = 0.30, p = 0.013) and distinct quality of depressed mood (r = 0.26, p = 0.035).

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Told in reverse chronological order and narrated from shifting perspectives, the text possesses distinct qualities of a bildungsroman novel.

Wikipedia

The article presents an economic valuation of the Ljubljanica riverbanks area, which is an urban cultural landscape with distinct qualities of international importance.

Land Use Policy

Previously, scientists had to understand distinct qualities of proteins by measuring a sample containing a huge number of molecules.

Chemical Reviews

In the vertebrate literature, the processing of reward by value has been regarded as a matter of sophistication because an integrated, higher-order value signal can be generated from sensorially distinct qualities of reward (e.g., Lak et al., 2014).

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or intangible items, using "a distinct quality of" can add depth and specificity to your writing. For example, "The music had a distinct quality of melancholy."

Common error

Avoid pairing "distinct" with other adjectives that convey similar meanings, such as "unique" or "special". Instead of saying "a distinct unique quality", opt for just "a distinct quality" or "a unique quality" to maintain conciseness and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distinct quality of" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun by specifying a particular characteristic or attribute. It serves to highlight a specific, noticeable aspect that sets something apart, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a distinct quality of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to emphasize a particular, noticeable characteristic or attribute. It is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general descriptions. While considered correct by Ludwig, it's important to avoid redundancy by not pairing it with similar adjectives. Understanding its function and usage patterns can greatly improve the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a defining attribute of

Emphasizes that the attribute is essential in defining the thing being described. "Distinct" is replaced by "defining", stressing importance.

a singular feature of

Focuses on an attribute, emphasizing its uniqueness or individuality. "Distinct" is replaced by "singular", indicating uniqueness.

a unique attribute of

Replaces "quality" with "attribute", emphasizing a characteristic feature. "Distinct" is replaced by "unique", indicating singular importance.

a marked characteristic of

Highlights a specific attribute, emphasizing that the characteristic is easily noticed. "Distinct" is replaced by "marked", stressing noticeability.

a particular trait of

Substitutes "quality" with "trait", which highlights a distinguishing characteristic. "Distinct" is replaced by "particular", indicating specificity.

a notable aspect of

Replaces "quality" with "aspect", focusing on a feature or element. "Distinct" is replaced by "notable", emphasizing importance.

an exceptional element of

Replaces "quality" with "element", shifting focus to a component. "Distinct" is replaced by "exceptional", highlighting rarity.

a characteristic feature of

Highlights a specific attribute, emphasizing that the feature is typical and recognizable. "Distinct" is replaced by "characteristic", stressing typicality.

a specialized aspect of

Focuses on a specific part, emphasizing its unique or particular nature. "Distinct" is replaced by "specialized", indicating a focus on specific details.

a peculiar property of

Uses "property" instead of "quality", emphasizing a characteristic aspect. "Distinct" is replaced by "peculiar", which conveys strangeness or uniqueness.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a distinct quality of" in a sentence?

Use "a distinct quality of" to emphasize a particular, noticeable characteristic. For instance, "The painting possesses "a distinct quality of" realism that captivates viewers."

What are some phrases similar to "a distinct quality of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a unique attribute of", "a particular trait of", or "a notable aspect of", which each offer slight variations in meaning and emphasis.

Is it redundant to use "a distinct quality of" with other similar adjectives?

Yes, using adjectives that are too similar to "distinct", such as "unique" or "special", can lead to redundancy. Choose the single most appropriate adjective to maintain clarity.

In what contexts is "a distinct quality of" most appropriate?

"A distinct quality of" is suitable across various contexts, but it is especially effective when describing intangible attributes such as mood, atmosphere, or artistic style.