a distinct type

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distinct type" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to specify or categorize something that is clearly different from others in a particular context. Example: "The research identified a distinct type of behavior that was not previously documented in the literature."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each is a distinct type.

The New York Times - Books

They form a distinct type, these writers.

The Guardian - Books

"They exist in all cultures and are a distinct type.

The New York Times - Magazine

Granulomatous inflammation is a distinct type of chronic inflammation.

Britannica

Xu, Q. et al. A distinct type of pilus from the human microbiome.

Nature

There's a distinct type of cinema associated with these gritty realist stories; hard-edged, rigorously downbeat, unsparingly objective.

The Guardian - Film

All of these companies have a distinct "type" that they look for –which brings its own risks.

Harvard Business Review

Wu, J. et al. Beige adipocytes are a distinct type of thermogenic fat cell in mouse and human.

Nature

When the United States entered World War I in 1917, the federal government introduced a distinct type of regulatory board to help manage the economy.

The New York Times

Resilience is important for all social work, but there is a distinct type of resilience required to work in palliative and end of life care.

The Guardian

Not so in option space, where there are six separate regions, each of which contains a distinct type of option and a corresponding managerial prescription.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distinct type" to clearly differentiate a specific category or kind from others, especially when emphasizing unique characteristics or properties.

Common error

Avoid using "a distinct type" when a simpler adjective like "different" or "unique" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly formal or repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distinct type" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It serves to categorize or specify something as being clearly different or distinguishable from others. Ludwig provides examples across various domains, confirming its adjectival role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a distinct type" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to categorize something that is clearly different from others. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is adjectival, serving to modify a noun and highlight unique characteristics. Usage is common across diverse fields, particularly in science, news, and encyclopedic content, with a register ranging from neutral to formal. While alternatives like "a unique kind" or "a separate category" exist, "a distinct type" provides a specific emphasis on clear differentiation. Remember to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in place of simpler adjectives. Considering all the information analyzed, "a distinct type" is a useful and valid expression for emphasizing distinctions and categorizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a unique kind

Changes the noun from 'type' to 'kind', emphasizing uniqueness.

a specific variety

Replaces 'type' with 'variety', suggesting a particular form within a broader category.

a particular sort

Substitutes 'type' with 'sort', indicating a specific category or class.

a separate category

Uses 'category' instead of 'type', highlighting the act of classifying something as different.

a different form

Emphasizes the difference in structure or appearance.

an individual class

Focuses on the unique grouping or classification of something.

a discrete group

Highlights the separateness and individuality of the group.

a novel species

Suggests something entirely new and unprecedented.

a singular instance

Emphasizes the uniqueness and individuality of a single occurrence.

a marked difference

Focuses on the noticeable distinction between things.

FAQs

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

You can use "a distinct type" to classify something that is clearly different from others. For example, "This research identified "a distinct type" of behavior not previously documented.".

What are some alternatives to "a distinct type"?

Alternatives include "a unique kind", "a specific variety", or "a separate category" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a distinct type" or "a different type"?

"A distinct type" emphasizes that the type is clearly distinguishable and unique, while "a different type" simply indicates that it is not the same. The choice depends on the degree of difference you want to convey.

When should I use "a distinct type" instead of "a unique type"?

Use "a distinct type" when you want to highlight clear differences in categorization or properties. Use "a unique type" when emphasizing that something is the only one of its kind.