a distinctive form of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distinctive form of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a unique or characteristic type of something, often in artistic, cultural, or scientific contexts. Example: "The artist is known for creating a distinctive form of abstract expressionism that captivates audiences."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

India, however, has a distinctive form of financial purgatory.

The Economist

In sculpture she's developed a distinctive form of hand-worked assemblage.

The New York Times - Arts

To characterize a distinctive form of congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB).

Ophthalmology

The making of elaborate kites from cloth or paper is a distinctive form of visual art as well.

Britannica

Doctors interpreted spiritual fasting as irrational, "a distinctive form of female religious empowerment that was incongruent with the material facts of the contemporary world".

The New Yorker

And maybe (as Chait would probably argue) there is a distinctive form of whiny, self-defeating "splittism" on the left that's largely absent on the right.

The New York Times

Butch Morris, who created a distinctive form of large-ensemble music built on collective improvisation that he single-handedly directed and shaped, died on Tuesday in Brooklyn.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Nonetheless, pathologists cannot classify lipid-rich tumours as a clinically distinctive form of carcinoma due to a lack of mechanistic understanding on the roles of lipids in cancer development.

BMC Cancer

The strands of cloud sometimes appear in tufts of a distinctive form referred to by the common name of "mares' tails".

Wikipedia

He is also a Master Bladesmith, and is famous for almost single-handedly re-creating the ancient Persian method for making a highly distinctive form of steel called Damascus.

The New Yorker

Walsers, descendants of immigrants from the Swiss canton of Valais, settled in Triesenberg at the end of the 13th century and continue to speak a particularly distinctive form of the language.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or practices, use "a distinctive form of" to highlight unique attributes that set it apart from conventional norms.

Common error

Avoid using "a distinctive form of" when the distinction is already implied. Instead of "This is a distinctive form of unique art", simply state "This is a unique art" to prevent redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distinctive form of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, specifying a unique or characteristic type. It highlights particular attributes or qualities that set something apart, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a distinctive form of" is a versatile expression used to highlight the unique qualities of something. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. To ensure clarity, avoid redundancy by using it only when the uniqueness isn't already implied. Alternatives such as "a unique type of" or "a characteristic style of" can be used to achieve a similar effect. This phrase is particularly useful for emphasizing particular attributes that set something apart from conventional norms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a unique type of

Emphasizes the unparalleled nature of something.

a characteristic style of

Highlights the typical manner or method associated with something.

a particular kind of

Focuses on a specific variety within a broader category.

a special sort of

Suggests a unique and noteworthy category.

an individual brand of

Implies a unique and personally created variation.

a singular expression of

Highlights the exceptional or unique demonstration of something.

a notable variation of

Emphasizes a significant difference from a standard or norm.

a marked example of

Highlights a clear and distinct instance of something.

a specialized version of

Suggests a tailored or adapted form for a specific purpose.

a one-of-a-kind manifestation of

Highlights the unique and non-replicable nature of the expression.

FAQs

How can I use "a distinctive form of" in a sentence?

Use "a distinctive form of" to highlight a unique or characteristic type of something. For example, "Jazz music is a distinctive form of artistic expression."

What are some alternatives to "a distinctive form of"?

You can use alternatives like "a unique type of", "a characteristic style of", or "a particular kind of" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a distinctive form of" instead of "a common type of"?

"A distinctive form of" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the uniqueness or special characteristics of something, whereas "a common type of" is used when referring to something that is widely encountered or typical.

What's the difference between "a distinctive form of" and "a variation of"?

"A distinctive form of" implies a unique and recognizable type, while "a variation of" suggests a modified or altered version of something. A "variation of" may not necessarily be unique but simply different.