a distinctive method of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distinctive method of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a unique or characteristic approach to doing something. Example: "The artist employed a distinctive method of painting that set her work apart from her contemporaries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

(This made me think of Wes Montgomery, who developed a distinctive method of playing electric guitar with his thumb, rather than a pick, because he needed a softer sound — his wife was sleeping in the next room).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

With Rossellini, however, there was always a distinctive method underlying any apparent madness.

The Guardian - Film

Rose says this distinctive method of toolmaking, classified as "Nubian Middle Stone Age," is unique to a region of Sudan in northeast Africa and has never been found outside the Nile Valley in northeast Africa.

Science Magazine

(If this is all getting a bit complex, welcome to my life and my somewhat distinctive methods of investigation. For the full story, check out my book Vultures' Picnic).

Vice

Locke sees this manifested in the artist's ability to make of "the racial substance something technically distinctive," a method of giving expression to a specific type of experience that allows for full expression of that experience across cultural, racial, or ethnic boundaries.

SEP

Moreover, after 37 years, leaves mounted with this distinctive method do not show any signs of the deterioration typical of the other mounting media mentioned here (Fig. 1E).

Applications in Plant Sciences

Somehow, Conan Doyle makes this as interesting as any fight scene, and it's a distinctive Holmesian method.

Huffington Post

Arnauld also gave a distinctive interpretation of Descartes' method of doubt.

SEP

The algorithm is designed so that it is insensitive to frame-to-frame intensity variations, which is a distinctive feature of the method.

Signal Processing: Image Communication

As the name suggests, a distinctive feature of the method is its reliance on well conserved core genes, to define the training set without contamination by foreign genes that may be present in the genome.

BMC Genomics

From the work of Roman Jakobson, of the same school of linguistic thought, Lévi-Strauss adopted the so-called distinctive feature method of analysis, which postulates that an unconscious "metastructure" emerges through the human mental process of pairing opposites.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or technique, use "a distinctive method of" to highlight its unique qualities and differentiate it from standard approaches.

Common error

Avoid using "a distinctive method of" simply as a stylistic flourish. Ensure the method truly possesses unique and noteworthy characteristics to warrant the descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distinctive method of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It describes a particular process or technique that is unique and easily recognizable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a distinctive method of" is a noun phrase used to describe a unique or easily recognizable approach. While grammatically correct and versatile, as Ludwig confirms, it should be used judiciously to ensure the method truly warrants the descriptor. It's most frequently found in science, news, and encyclopedic contexts. Related phrases include "a unique approach to" and "a characteristic technique for". When using this phrase, be sure the method you're describing possesses truly unique qualities. The phrase is suitable for neutral registers, fitting in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a unique approach to

Focuses on the uniqueness of the approach rather than its methodology.

a characteristic technique for

Highlights the typical or recognizable aspect of the technique.

a particular way of

Emphasizes the specific manner in which something is done.

a specialized process for

Indicates a process tailored for a specific purpose.

a custom procedure for

Suggests a procedure designed to meet individual requirements.

a singular manner of

Stresses the exceptional nature of the way something is done.

a remarkable system for

Highlights the noteworthy or impressive aspect of the system.

an original means of

Focuses on the innovative or inventive quality of the means.

a novel tactic for

Emphasizes the new or unusual nature of the tactic.

an unconventional route to

Highlights the departure from standard or accepted practices.

FAQs

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

Use "a distinctive method of" to describe a unique approach or technique. For example, "The artist employed "a distinctive method of" painting that set her work apart."

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

You can use alternatives like "a unique approach to", "a characteristic technique for", or "a particular way of" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "a distinctive method of" and "a typical method of"?

"A distinctive method of" implies uniqueness and differentiation, while "a typical method of" suggests a standard or common approach.

Is it redundant to say "a very distinctive method of"?

While not grammatically incorrect, adding "very" to ""a distinctive method of"" can be redundant. "Distinctive" already implies a high degree of uniqueness. Consider using stronger synonyms for "distinctive" if you want to emphasize the uniqueness further.