a distinctive individual

USAGE SUMMARY

'a distinctive individual' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about someone with a very specific set of qualities or characteristics. For example, "He was a distinctive individual, with a passion for art and a drive to succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But the sense of a distinctive individual response does not carry through the entire suite.

The New York Times - Arts

Appropriately for such a distinctive individual, the achievement deserves to stand alone.

The Guardian - Sport

Like Mahler, Schnittke fashioned a distinctive individual voice from a free-ranging mix of disparate idioms: "polystylistic," he called his music.

The New York Times - Arts

Of course good novels do paint memorable portraits of the societies in which they're set; but they tend to work much better when they're anchored in a distinctive individual sensibility or subculture – as books as varied as American Pastoral, Trainspotting, The Line of Beauty, Money or Disgrace show.

The Guardian - Books

Rather than ignoring what distinguishes one person from another, it is argued, respect should involve attending to each person as a distinctive individual and to the concrete realities of human lives, and it should involve valuing difference as well as sameness and interdependence as well as independence.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Not so much a distinct individual as a distinctive voice, this narrator speaks to us as if from the lip of a stage, in darkness.

The New Yorker

Chelsea Through tomorrow William Pérez and Adrián Rumbaut, who are founding members of the collective El Grupo Punto in Cuba, have collaborated on this exhibition by integrating their distinctive individual work into a kind of walk-in installation.

The New York Times - Arts

And Ray Tadio's "Tik-ka," a tribute to Filipino women, opened the program with dance that introduced the distinctive individual presences of the Reflections performers in a blend of Indian-accented modern dance and ballet.

The New York Times - Arts

At 2 p.m., Isaac Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall, [phone], carnegiehall.org; $12.50 to $25. (Smith) ★ Anonymous 4 (Thursday) This early-music a cappella vocal ensemble, celebrating its 25th anniversary this season, continues to demonstrate an impressive vocal blend, purity of tone and distinctive individual voices.

The New York Times - Arts

Amy's father, Mitch, touchingly referred to them as "a great girl group in heaven", though in reality they were all too distinctive individual talents for that, too demanding of the solo spotlight to share it.

Independent

Again and again, in both poetry and prose, Pessoa denied that he existed as any kind of distinctive individual.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distinctive individual" when you want to emphasize that someone or something has easily recognizable and unique characteristics that set them apart from others.

Common error

While "a distinctive individual" is acceptable, overuse in very formal or academic writing can sound slightly informal. Consider stronger alternatives like "a unique entity" or "a remarkable person" for enhanced gravitas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distinctive individual" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a person with unique and easily recognizable qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a distinctive individual" is a noun phrase used to describe someone with unique and recognizable traits. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. While "a distinctive individual" is not exceedingly common, it effectively emphasizes the unique qualities of a person. For more formal contexts, consider alternative phrases like "a unique entity" or "a remarkable person".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a one-of-a-kind person

Stresses the absolute uniqueness and irreplaceability, different from simply having distinctive traits.

a unique person

Emphasizes singularity and unmatched qualities, differing from "a distinctive individual" which focuses on noticeable characteristics.

an original

Emphasizes the individual's creativity and innovative spirit, setting them apart from imitators.

a remarkable character

Highlights notable qualities, implying admiration or interest, unlike "a distinctive individual" which is more neutral.

a memorable soul

Highlights the lasting impression someone leaves, focusing on their inner qualities that stand out.

an exceptional being

Suggests superiority and rarity, contrasting with "a distinctive individual" that focuses on noticeable differences.

a nonconformist

Highlights the individual's tendency to defy conventional expectations and behaviors.

a singular figure

Emphasizes uniqueness and prominence, diverging from the focus on recognizable traits in "a distinctive individual".

a noticeable personality

Highlights a person's impactful presence and behaviors that make them easily observed and remembered.

an atypical case

Focuses on deviation from the norm, suitable in contexts where the individual's difference is a statistical anomaly.

FAQs

How can I use "a distinctive individual" in a sentence?

You can use "a distinctive individual" to describe someone who possesses unique and easily recognizable traits. For example, "She was "a distinctive individual" known for her innovative ideas and unconventional approach".

What are some alternatives to "a distinctive individual"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a unique person", "a remarkable character", or "a singular figure".

What is the difference between "a distinctive individual" and "a unique individual"?

"A distinctive individual" implies having noticeable and recognizable traits, while "a unique individual" suggests being the only one of its kind. While similar, uniqueness denotes exclusivity, and distinction suggests clear differentiation.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "a distinctive individual"?

The phrase "a distinctive individual" is suitable for describing someone or something that stands out due to specific, recognizable qualities, particularly in news, media, and general descriptive writing.